GCRI · Science
Physics and quantum science
Physics studies matter, energy and their interactions, from fundamental particles to large-scale systems. It provides the governing equations used across hazard modelling, sensing and engineering. Quantum Technologies stewards this page for the Nexus Consortium.
01Workspace
The workspace for physics and quantum science.
GCRI · GCRI · Quantum experimentIllustrative
Quantum experiment
The Global Centre for Risk and Innovation (GCRI) · Physics and quantum science · Run R-9987 · Example interface, not a record
Calibration runGCRI · GCRI
Qubit calibration
| Q0 | 136 | 52 | 0.004 | In spec |
| Q1 | 101 | 131 | 0.003 | Drifting |
| Q2 | 104 | 131 | 0.006 | In spec |
| Q3 | 87 | 135 | 0.003 | In spec |
Method card
- Method
- Physics and quantum science
- Device
- example testbed
- Shots
- 19,893
- Label
- MODELLED
Randomised benchmarking
GCRI · Quantum experiment. Quantum experiment: example names and illustrative values, not a record.
02The method
What physics and quantum science covers.
- 01
Core methods
theoretical modelling; numerical simulation; controlled experimentation; statistical mechanics; signal and measurement analysis; quantum mechanical modelling.
- 02
Data and instruments
laboratory instruments; particle and radiation detectors; precision sensors; observatories; simulation outputs.
- 03
Validation
Theories are tested by reproducible experiments and precise measurement. Numerical codes are verified against analytical solutions and benchmark problems.
- 04
Limits
Idealised models may omit friction, heterogeneity or coupling present in real systems. Scale transfer from laboratory to field introduces error.
- 05
Use in risk decisions
Physical principles constrain hazard models, sensor design and engineering limits. They help distinguish physically plausible scenarios from implausible ones.
03Reference practice
Physics underpins measurement standards and quantum technology.
| Reference | What it sets |
|---|---|
| International System of Units (SI) and the BIPM | Definition of measurement units and traceability |
| ISO/IEC JTC 3 | Standardisation of quantum technologies |
| NIST post-quantum cryptography standards | Cryptography designed to resist quantum attack |
04Process
How the process runs.
Process
Physics and quantum science: Post-quantum cryptography migration
NIST published FIPS 203, 204 and 205 on 13 August 2024; the migration steps are common practice, and the IR 8547 timeline is a draft.
01 Discover
- 01Cryptographic inventoryDatasetOrganisations must find where vulnerable algorithms are used and plan to replace or update them. The inventory lists algorithms and keys.
- 02Prioritise by data lifetime and exposureStepIR 8547 names the harvest now, decrypt later threat. Systems holding long-lived sensitive data come first.
02 Plan
- 03Select standardised algorithmsStepFIPS 203, 204 and 205 specify ML-KEM, ML-DSA and SLH-DSA. Falcon and HQC were selected for ongoing standardisation.
- 04Vendor roadmapsDataset · Programme ownerHardware security modules and libraries need vendor support for the selected algorithms. Roadmaps come from each vendor.
03 Deploy
- 05Hybrid deploymentModelIR 8547 says migration may start with hybrids of quantum-resistant and quantum-vulnerable algorithms, secure if one component is secure.
- 06TestExerciseInteroperability, performance and fallback are tested before cut-over.
- 07Cut over and retireDecision · Programme ownerIn draft IR 8547, 112-bit public-key algorithms are deprecated after 2030 and quantum-vulnerable ones disallowed after 2035.
04 Sustain
- 08Crypto agilityStepCrypto agility is the ability to replace and adapt cryptographic algorithms while preserving security and ongoing operations.
Neutral outline of a published external standard or method, from its issuing body. Not a record of operation. Nexus does not perform, certify or approve any step shown. A gate or decision belongs to the party the source names.
05In systemic risk work
Physical limits and timing.
Physics enters risk work through the limits it places on technologies: the error rates of quantum devices, the physics of space weather, the thermodynamics of cooling. It also enters through the precision timing and navigation many networks share. A geomagnetic storm or timing-signal disruption is a physics event with consequences in power, telecoms and finance at once.
- Separate demonstrated device performance from roadmap claims.
- Treat shared timing and navigation signals as a common dependency.
- Use physical constraints to bound model outputs in other fields.
- Applications on Quantum and Data and Compute.
06Applied in
Platforms that apply this method.
07Stewardship
Who maintains this page.
Quantum Technologies stewards physics and quantum science: it keeps this description current and reviews how the method is applied across the platforms.
08Sources
Where this page’s references lead.
The bodies and documents this page is read against. Status and editions change; each link goes to the issuing body.
09Questions
Questions and answers.
Why does one institution host every method page?
GCRI hosts the STEM Commons so that each method has one canonical description. Platforms link to it rather than repeat it, which keeps definitions consistent.
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Write to the integrity concern form with the passage and the reason.
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