[Paper Review] Quantum Technologies: A Review of the Patent Landscape

M. Edington Alex|arXiv (Cornell University)|Feb 3, 2021

Quantum Computing Algorithms and Architecture24 references4 citations

TL;DR

This paper presents a comprehensive patent landscape analysis of quantum technologies from 2015 to 2023, analyzing 48,577 patents using AI-driven taxonomy and scholarly literature to map technological trends. It reveals that quantum computing, nanotechnology, and quantum cryptography are the dominant innovation areas, with North America leading in R&D, while emerging fields like quantum sensing and superconducting devices show growing momentum.

ABSTRACT

Quantum Technologies is a term that is getting broader with every passing year. Nanotechnology and electronics operate in this realm. With the invention of industry-disrupting algorithms like Shor's algorithm that can break RSA encryption on a quantum computer and Quantum Key Distribution, which offers unconditional security in theory, investment is pouring in. Here we taxonomize and analyze 48,577 patents in this area from 2015 to present captured with a comprehensive query in Relecura's patent database. The author's subject experience, along with the company's AI-based tools and scholarly literature, were utilized to make this highly subjective choice of taxonomy. Though most Patent Landscape Analysis Reports consider a single technology, geography, or company, we have tried to give a holistic overview of these technologies as a whole due to their collaborative and intertwined nature. The physics of each technology and its role in the industry is briefly explained where possible.

Motivation & Objective

• To map the evolving landscape of quantum technologies through a large-scale patent analysis covering multiple interrelated domains.
• To identify key technological trends, leading countries, and major assignees driving innovation in quantum technologies.
• To develop a subject-matter taxonomy for quantum technologies that reflects their interdisciplinary and interconnected nature.
• To assess the role of AI-based tools and scholarly literature in enhancing the accuracy and depth of patent classification in emerging tech fields.
• To provide a holistic view of quantum technology innovation beyond single-technology or single-geography reports, reflecting real-world R&D collaboration and convergence.

Proposed method

• Conducted a comprehensive patent search using Relecura’s AI-powered database to retrieve 48,577 patents related to quantum technologies from 2015 to 2023.
• Applied a custom, subject-matter expert-informed taxonomy to classify patents across core domains: nanotechnology, quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and emerging technologies.
• Integrated insights from scholarly literature and domain expertise to refine classification accuracy and contextualize technological developments.
• Analyzed geographical distribution of patents to identify top countries and assignees, highlighting leadership in North America and key players in quantum computing and cryptography.
• Used bibliometric analysis to track innovation trends, including patent growth rates, technological focus shifts, and R&D investment indicators.
• Employed a multi-layered classification system that distinguishes sub-technologies such as quantum dots, quantum annealing, error correction, and quantum key distribution.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 What are the dominant technological domains within quantum technologies based on patent activity from 2015 to 2023?
• RQ2 How do patent trends in quantum technologies vary across countries and major assignees, and what does this reveal about global innovation leadership?
• RQ3 To what extent are quantum computing, nanotechnology, and quantum cryptography interlinked in patent filings, and how does this reflect technological convergence?
• RQ4 What emerging technologies are gaining traction in the patent landscape, and how do they align with current R&D priorities?
• RQ5 How do AI-based tools and expert curation improve the accuracy and depth of patent taxonomy in complex, interdisciplinary technology areas?

Key findings

• Quantum computing and nanotechnology are the two most active patent domains, with quantum computing showing strong growth in quantum annealing and error correction.
• North America leads in quantum technology patenting, particularly in quantum computing, driven by U.S. tech giants and government-backed R&D initiatives.
• Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a mature and rapidly growing segment within quantum cryptography, reflecting strong interest in post-quantum security solutions.
• Emerging technologies such as superconducting devices and quantum sensing are gaining traction, with increasing patent filings indicating early-stage commercialization potential.
• The integration of AI-based tools with expert knowledge significantly improved the precision of classifying complex, interdisciplinary quantum technology patents.
• The patent landscape reveals a high degree of technological convergence, especially between nanotechnology and semiconductor devices, suggesting synergistic innovation pathways.