Research on Identification Method of Core Technology Chain Based on an Input-Output SAO Network: A Case of Quantum Computing Technologies postprint

Abstract: [Purpose/significance] This paper identifies the core technology chain of a certain technology field based on patent data, which is important for clarifying the structure of industrial core technology, analyzing the weak links of China's core industry chains, determining the direction of technology research, and improving the technology chains and industry chains.[Method/process] This method improved the classic SAO, and proposed a core technology chain identification method based on an input-output SAO network. It extracted input-output SAO structures from the domain patent data as technical elements, and constructed a domain knowledge network according to the input-output relationship between the technical elements. It used the weighted k-Core method to obtain the core knowledge subnetwork which contained the main technical relations. It applied main path analyses to identify the external core technology chain and the internal core technology chain in the core knowledge subnetwork, and interpreted the core technology chain with reference to the patents involved.[Result/conclusion] This paper applied the proposed method in the field of quantum computing to identify the external and internal core technology chains. The accuracy of the results is verified by expert evaluation and comparison with the research of relevant scholars. The proposed method enables the identification of coherent technology chains, and has high degree of automation and flexibility.