This month marks 100 years since Werner Heisenberg published his seminal paper that laid the foundations for quantum mechanics. Diraq owes more than just its theoretical underpinnings to this astonishing development.

Heisenberg was just 23 years old when “Über quantentheoretische Umdeutung kinematischer und mechanischer Beziehungen” appeared in Zeitschrift für Physik . Known as the Umdeutung (or reinterpretation) paper, the work describes the young German physicist’s approach to understanding the world on the nanoscale, laying the foundation of the matrix mechanics that forms the core of quantum theory.

The strategy was both unconventional and revolutionary. Instead of trying to understand atomic machinations like the orbits of electrons, which couldn’t be measured, Heisenberg chose to focus on things that could be observed.

This approach is closely aligned with Diraq’s roadmap for building utility-scale quantum computers, and reflects the company’s structure: our test and measurement team works closely with our theory group to understand each prototype, refining and redesigning alongside the engineering and fabrication teams. Heisenberg’s approach therefore offers something of a philosophical touchstone, in that progress is driven by what can be measured and controlled.

Heisenberg’s paper also captures a spirit of bold innovation that resonates with Diraq’s ambition to deliver revolutionary quantum computing. While many quantum-computing companies are pursuing established modalities like superconducting qubits or trapped ions, Diraq is pioneering spin qubits in silicon. This approach is uniquely compelling, because it promises quantum computers that are easily manufactured, and therefore economically viable.

By designing quantum chips using the standard materials and processes of the mature semiconductor industry, Diraq is poised to bridge the worlds of quantum and classical computing. This strategic positioning will enable Diraq to develop quantum computers at a fraction of the cost of other modalities, and they’ll also be easily integrated with existing (and future) classical electronics.

It's no coincidence that the United Nations earmarked 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, nor that Heisenberg published his reinterpretation exactly a century ago. 1925 was a year of conceptual upheaval, in which ideas about physics were being rewritten. The current decade could be viewed as a similar time of change, as the world approaches the next quantum revolution.

Diraq’s commitment to combining inspired innovation with pragmatic engineering on the path towards utility scale could well be the catalyst to this change. And it’s certainly in the spirit of Heisenberg’s feat.

Read the original paper in German here (English translation available here).

Cover image: Heisenberg in 1924. Image credit: Friedrich Hund CC BY 3.0