Mark Garlick/Science Photo Library
No single country or region dominates quantum-physics research in the Nature Index; institutions from China, Europe and the United States all feature in the top 10.
The University of Science and Technology of China, in Hefei, maintains a strong lead in the topic, with almost twice the share of its closest rival, the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS).
Institutional rankings in the Nature Index are determined by the Share metric, which measures authorship contributions to a select group of high-quality journals.
The ranking below reflects institutions’ Share and article count for quantum physics-related research in Nature Index journals according to the 'Current Index', which at the time of writing covered the period from 1 March 2024 to 28 February 2025.
Some of the information below also gives rankings for physical sciences, which were taken from the Nature Index 2025 Research Leaders tables (covering the 2024 calendar year).
Leading institutions in quantum physics in the Nature Index
Institutions are ranked by article Share for the period 1 March 2024 to 28 February 2025. Each institution's article count (Count) is also listed.
| Rank | Institution | Count | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Science and Technology of China, China | 140 | 55.28 |
| 2 | French National Centre for Scientific Research, France | 145 | 33.73 |
| 3 | Chinese Academy of Science, China | 134 | 31.05 |
| 4 | Tsinghua University, China | 64 | 30.09 |
| 5 | Max Planck Society, Germany | 98 | 26.54 |
| 6 | The University of Chicago, United States | 48 | 25.52 |
| 7 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Unites States | 51 | 20.27 |
| 8 | Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Switzerland | 43 | 19.73 |
| 9 | Harvard University, United States | 50 | 17.32 |
| 10 | Southern University of Science and Technology, China | 38 | 17.10 |
1. University of Science and Technology of China
Share: 55.28
The University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) is an affiliate of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the world's largest scientific research organization. USTC is ranked first in quantum physics output in the Index and was second in the world for physical-sciences output in 2024.
USTC has achieved several breakthroughs in quantum physics in the past few years. In 2020, USTC researchers reported what they describe as the first definitive demonstration of ‘quantum advantage’: their photon-based quantum computer was the first of its kind to outperform classical computers at a specific task. In March this year, a USTC-led team broke a record in quantum communication, using China’s Jinan-1 microsatellite to send encrypted messages nearly 13,000 km from China to South Africa.
2. French National Centre for Scientific Research
Share: 33.73
Ranking second in quantum-physics related output in the Index, the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), headquartered in Paris, forms the backbone of country’s national quantum research strategy.
It also counts a recent Nobel Laureate in the field. Alain Aspect, a senior researcher affiliated with CNRS, was one of three researchers to win the 2022 Nobel Prize in physics for his experimental work on quantum entanglement.
Globally, France ranked 6th in the Nature Index for physical-sciences output in 2024, and in the 2023 Science Cities data, Paris was the top European city in the subject.
3. Chinese Academy of Sciences
Share: 31.05
The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) in Beijing was ranked first in physical-sciences output in the Nature Index in 2024 and is third in quantum physics. CAS and USTC work closely together on quantum projects — in March this year, a joint research team unveiled the Zuchongzhi 3.0 chip, reportedly one of the fastest quantum processors in the world to date.
Beijing was the world’s leading city for physical-sciences output in the Index in 2023, contributing around 19.5% of the country’s research in this field.
4. Tsinghua University
Share: 30.09
With its world-class quantum-research facilities, including the Centre for Quantum Information, Tsinghua University is another Beijing-based institution that makes major contributions to the city’s standing as a physical-sciences powerhouse. Less than 4 Share points separate it and CNRS, in second place.
In 2024, a team at Tsinghua University published a study in Nature detailing the building of a powerful new quantum device that uses hundreds of ions arranged in a grid to simulate how particles behave — work that could help scientists better understand complex systems.
5. Max Planck Society
Share: 26.54
Despite relative declines in its physical-sciences output in the Index, the Max Planck Society remains Germany’s premier quantum-research institution. The organization runs multiple institutes across the country, such as the Max Planck Research School for Chemistry and Physics of Quantum Materials, in Dresden, and the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics (MPQ), in Garching.
In 2023, MPQ director Ferenc Krausz shared the Nobel Prize for physics for a project that generated incredibly short bursts of light, which could be used to better understand the behaviour of electrons in different settings.
The Max Planck Society is part of the Quantum Internet Alliance, a consortium of European research institutes working on the development of a quantum internet, which would be based on quantum bits, rather than regular bits.
6. The University of Chicago
Share: 25.52
The University of Chicago in Illinois is the first US institution to appear in the Nature Index’s top 10 quantum-physics ranking. It has strong domestic ties, and access to facilities such as the Fermilab Accelerator Laboratory, located nearby.
In 2017, the university established the Chicago Quantum Exchange, which is a multi-state research hub designed to bring together top academics, universities and companies in advancing the nation's quantum technology efforts. The hub has received more than US$1 billion in corporate and government investment.
7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Share: 20.27
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston is home to some of the United States’ leading quantum scientists, including Isaac Chuang, who helped build some of the first working quantum computers, and Peter Shor, who developed an algorithm that can be used to break through certain types of encryption.
Recently, MIT researchers have developed a method to simulate magnetic fields using a 16-qubit superconducting quantum processor — a crucial part of understanding and designing advanced electronic devices.
The university has recorded a relative decline in physical-sciences output in the Index. Between 2023 and 2024, it had a 20% drop in adjusted Share in the subject, and fell from 9th position to 12th.
8. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich
Share: 19.73
Switzerland is a heavy hitter when it comes to physical-science research. Its leading institution in the subject, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), is just 0.54 Share points behind MIT in quantum-physics output.
In 2020, ETH Zurich announced the construction of a subterranean quantum research lab at its Hönggerberg campus, which is expected to be operational by 2029.
9. Harvard University
Share: 17.32
Although Harvard University’s greatest strengths lie in other fields, such as biological and health sciences, its ranking in this top 10 demonstrates its world-class expertise in physical sciences.
Based in Boston, the university is known for its work on molecular qubits and quantum network operations. Like MIT, Harvard has seen a relative decline in its physical-sciences Share in the Index in the past few years. From 2023 to 2024 its adjusted Share dropped 22.9% in the subject.
10. Southern University of Science and Technology
Share: 17.10
The Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) in Shenzhen, China is ranked 10th in quantum-physics output in the Index but 26th in physical sciences, demonstrating its particular strength in the topic.
In 2018, the university established the Shenzhen Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering, where researchers study quantum states, computing, engineering and precision measurement.
To view more institution- and country-based rankings in quantum physics research in the Nature Index, click here.
