Quantum Alliance News & Events
This pages features news, events, and press releases from the Quantum Alliance, as well as from each of the participating institutions (each element is marked accordingly). Check this page regularly for the latest updates.
Ⓒ Exzellent erklärt/Oliver Melchert Exzellent Erklärt Podcast: Computer simulations - Using models to gain knowledge in optics
PhoenixD spokesperson Prof. Dr. Uwe Morgner, research associate Dr. Oliver Melchert and doctoral student Stephanie Willms gave an insight into their research work in the 15th episode of the German podcast series "Exzellent erklärt" (Excellently explained). The three are specialists in the simulation of optical, i.e. light-based phenomena. They use computers to calculate physical laws so precisely that their predictions complement practical experiments and, in some cases, make them redundant. In addition to experiment and theory, this so-called third pillar of science is becoming increasingly important as computing capacities continue to grow.
First cross-regional Center for Quantum Photonics (QPhoton) established
QPhoton, a nationally unique competence center, is funded by the Carl Zeiss Foundation. QPhoton combines the competences in photonic technologies at the University of Jena and the know-how on quantum systems at the Center for IQST in Stuttgart and Ulm to boost imaging and sensing techniques by and for quantum technology.
Fit for quantum
Making young scientists fit for quantum technologies: The universities in Augsburg, Bayreuth, Erlangen-Nuremberg, Munich, Regensburg, and Würzburg will each receive around 144,000 euros in funding from the High-Tech Agenda Bavaria.
Exzellent Erklärt Podcast: Quantencomputer – Wie nah sind wir der Anwendung?
In the ninth and most recent episode, Larissa Vassilian talks to ML4Q members, Sebastian Diehl and Michael Köhl. They explain some quantum mechanical phenomena, like superposition and entanglement, providing insight into the slightly different views of the theorist as opposed to the experimentalist. They shed some light on their work in the ML4Q cluster in order to help understand and create network architectures for quantum computers. There are many problems to be solved – including, for example, the question of how quantum computers can be networked together, even though the quantum states they need to function are difficult to keep stable.
EIN Quantum NRW
North Rhine-Westphalia joins forces to establish a hub for quantum science and technologies. Education, Innovation, Networking in quantum science and technology – these are the goals of the new quantum computing network “EIN Quantum NRW”, which bundles the expertise of universities, non-university institutions as well as industrial partners in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Quantum Alliance at the APS March Meeting
The Quantum Alliance is attending the largest physics meeting in the world in 2022! For the first hybrid March Meeting of the American Physical Society (APS), more than 12.000 physicists will get together online and in Chicago from March 14th to 18th. Under the umbrella of the initiative Research in Germany, Quantum Alliance will provide detailed information on the German physics research landscape.
© C. Lisdat / PTB 
Mobile World Congress 2022
Excellent research proofs to be an internationally requested engine for new technologies. So, the ecosystem around QuantumFrontiers is reaching out to attendees from over 180 countries as part of the European Quantum Flagship at the Mobile World Congress 2022 in Barcelona.
Quantum Alliance at Virtual European Career Fair
On 17. Feb 2022, the Quantum Alliance will be present at the MIT European Career Fair to talk with early-career scientists about the many great opportunites for quantum research in Germany. Participants can ask questions, engage in 1-on-1 discussions, and view job postings as the Quantum Alliance's virtual booth.
Different paths to develop quantum computers
Quantum research in North Rhine-Westphalia is taking different paths to develop the most powerful freely programmable quantum computers. Numerous universities and research institutes are involved.
How to get a job in a quantum industry
Professor Rainer Müller and Franziska Greinert from QuantumFrontiers asked different industries what their future employees need to know about quantum topics. As part of the European Quantum Flagship the two scientists compiled the demands into qualification profiles. The profiles show what skills are needed to handle the technologies for economic use.
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Ⓒ Christoph Hohmann Munich Quantum Valley Successfully Established
In the presence of Bavaria’s Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder, the Bavarian Science Minister Bernd Sibler and the Director General of the Bavarian Ministry for Economic Affairs, Dr. Sabine Jarothe, the founding document was signed at the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities today by the presidents of the partner universities and scientific organizations.
PhD Conference 2022
The Quantum Alliance and IMPRS-QST are organizing a conference for PhDs from April 27-28! The event will take place in Munich at Messe München during the World of QUANTUM trade fair. You will have the opportunity to connect and share your research through poster sessions, talks and other activities.
Exzellent Erklärt Podcast: Quantenwissenschaft – Grundlage der Technologien von morgen
Quantum physics pushes the limits of our imagination, but builds the foundation for revolutionary new technologies. Two researchers from MCQST, Harald Weinfurter and Kai Müller , discuss this in the latest episode of "#exzellenterklaert – Spitzenforschung für alle".
Researchers at Universität Hamburg will build the quantum computer
Quantum computers promise considerable advantages over classical digital computers for certain tasks. The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research is now funding a project to develop a quantum computer with around €25 million. The total project volume amounts to €29 million. Just under ten million euros of this go to the Institute for Laser Physics at Universität Hamburg.
Quantum Alliance Community Networking Event
The event brings together PhDs and PostDocs from the quantum research clusters and centers within the Quantum Alliance. You will have the opportunity to (re-)connect with young scientists from all over Germany and get insights into the job market for PhDs and Postdocs.
10.11.2021 | Online/Zoom
Shaking up fermions into higher Bloch bands shapes new generation of quantum simulators
For the first time, researchers at Universität Hamburg have loaded a fermionic quantum gas of neutral atoms into selected higher Bloch bands of an optical lattice. The work sets the stage for new fundamental insights into fermionic superfluidity in the presence of orbital degrees of freedom.
15.07.2021 | CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter
Munich Conference on QST 2021
The Munich Conference on Quantum Science and Technology 2021 (MCQST2021) brings together its scientific community from all career-stages with international guests in academia and industry to strengthen the exchange of ideas and discuss the latest advancements in all fields of quantum science and technology (QST). Register now to attend the conference!
7.06.2021 | MCQST
Germany Grants the Optics University Center and Campus at Leibniz University Hannover
German Science Council recommends an investment of 54.2 million Euro to build the research building OPTICUM. With the OPTICUM, LUH brings together under one roof research activities in the fields of optics, production technology, materials development and computer science that have existed for decades.
23.04.2021 | PhoenixD
© HENN 
© C. Hohmann / MCQST Tracking for quantum post
Even though quantum communication is tap-proof, it is so far not particularly efficient. MCQST rearchers from the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics want to change this. They have developed a detection method that can be used to track quantum transmissions.
29.03.2021 | MCQST
IQST Board Member Stefanie Barz talks about Quantum Computing in the latest Podcast with Dorothee Bär
In an interview with Dorothee Bär, Minister of State to the Federal Chancellor and Federal Government Commissioner for Digitalization, Stefanie Barz @ University of Stuttgart & IQST explains the phenomenon of Quantum Computing.
02 April 2021 | IQST
© Martina Markus / Marketing University of Cologne A new state of light
ML4Q researchers from the groups of Martin Weitz and Johann Kroha in Bonn have published a Science paper on their new observation of a new phase transition of a photon Bose-Einstein condensate. 10 years after discovering the Bose-Einstein condensate, the researchers observed an overdamped phase, a previously unknown phase transition within the optical Bose-Einstein condensate.
30 March 2021 | ML4Q
Chromatic light particle effect revealed for the development of photonic quantum networks
PhoenixD member Prof. Dr. Michael Kues and his team member Anahita Khodadad Kashi demonstrate a novel photonic interference effect that could pave the way to large-scale controllable quantum systems.
19 March 2021 | PhoenixD
© Michael Kues/Anahita Khodadad Kashi Quantum confinement of the Dirac surface states in topological-insulator nanowires
ML4Q researchers from the Ando lab and the group of Achim Rosch as well as cooperating partners from the Department of Physics at the University of Basel and the Institute for Physical Chemistry at the University of Cologne have published a Nature Communications paper on quantum confinement of electron wave-functions when wrapped around topological-insulator nanowires with a diameter of ~20nm.
15.02.2021 | ML4Q
© Felix Münning, Oliver Breunig, Henry F. Legg et al./ Nature 
© Jörg Harms / MPSD Twisted van der Waals materials as a new platform to realize exotic matter
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter, the RWTH Aachen University, and the Flatiron Institute, Columbia University and part of the Max Planck – New York City Center for Non-equilibrium Quantum Phenomena have provided a fresh perspective on the potential of twisted van der Waals materials for realizing novel and elusive states of matter and providing a unique materials-based quantum simulation platform.
2 February 2021 | CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter
Kickoff for the Munich Quantum Valley
The Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology supports the new research initiative - the Munich Quantum Valley. Bavaria's leading scientists and universities kick off the new research initiative to promote quantum science and develop new quantum technologies, with the development of quantum computers and interception-proof communication methods as core goals. The Free State of Bavaria is supporting the project with 300 million euros
11 January 2021 | MCQST
© Bayerische Staatskanzlei 
Transmon platform for quantum computing challenged by chaotic fluctuations
Three ML4Q members joined efforts to discuss chaotic fluctuations in superconducting transmons. In their recent paper, the authors from the groups of Simon Trebst, Alexander Altland and David DiVincenzo investigate the possibility to balance intentional disorder (to protect qubits) and nonlinear resonator couplings (to manipulate them) given the challenge of chaotic fluctuations.
15 December 2020 | ML4Q
Changes in molecules interacting with quantum light
A team of researchers from Italy, Norway, and Germany has demonstrated that the properties of molecules undergo significant changes when interacting with quantized electromagnetic fields in optical cavities. Using novel theoretical methodologies and computational simulations, the team revealed that the ground- and excited-state chemistry of molecules can be modified by a confinement in space.
10 December 2020 | CUI: Advanved Imaging of Matter
© Enrico Ronca, Jörg Harms / MPSD 
© Unsplash / Inaki del Olmo Quantum Alliance researchers on Highly Cited Researchers™ 2020 list
Quantum Alliance researchers are named among the best in their fields on the annual Highly Cited Researchers™ 2020 list from Clarivate.
8 December 2020 | Quantum Alliance
Freeze like a Star! Web Exhibition Explores the Mysteries of the Quantum World
Colder than in outer space, higher pressure than 30 sperm whales on a stamp, and super magnets that could hold two Eiffel Towers: The search for new quantum materials-the materials of the day after tomorrow – is taking place today under extreme conditions. Yet it is often difficult to understand what the researchers actually do in their high-performance laboratories. ct.qmat presents the web exhibition “SHOWCASE–Insight into our Research”.
09 December2020 | ct.qmat
pixelwg/Jörg Bandmann 
MCQST's Digital Advent Calendar
In December, counting down the days to the start of the holiday season, MCQST opens daily another door to a new story introducing members of its community. The advent calendar introduces many talented and dedicated people within the Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology, who comprise the fascinating world of quantum research in Munich.
Virtual STEM Career Fair
Interested in doing quantum science and technology research in Germany? Then visit the Quantum Alliance booth at the STEM Virtual Fair organized by Research in Germany on November 24th.
24 November 2020 | Quantum Alliance
© C. Hohmann / MCQST Quantum modem for the future quantum internet
Physicists at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics have developed the basic technology for a new "quantum modem". It will allow users to connect to a future quantum internet that is based on the existing fibre optic network infrastructure.
5 November | MCQST
ML4Q Blog Stories - New Blog Series
How do you start a blog? By writing on how hard it is to start a blog! ML4Q has launched its new blog series with a story by Christian Dickel on writing in science, the power of the written word and the satisfaction of holding a book in your hands – especially when it is your book!
Blog Series | ML4Q
© C. Dickel 
Quantum Valley Lower Saxony initiative to start in 2021
QuantumFrontiers supports the new quantum initiative "Quantum Valley Lower Saxony", which is set to start on the 1st of January 2021. The federal state of Lower Saxony, together with universities and research institutes, is developing a quantum computer by 2025.
2 October 2020 | Quantum Frontiers
Quantum Alliance Community Event
The event brings together PhDs and PostDocs from the quantum research clusters and centers within the Quantum Alliance. It aims to give participants the chance to get an overview of the broad scope of quantum research in Germany and to provide a platform for networking and exchange with their peers.
11 - 12 November 2020 | Quantum Alliance
Center for IQST holds IQST Day online
The annual event brings together the IQST community to share the latest advancements in quantum science and technology and to strengthen our network. The program includes exciting keynote talks from academia and science highlight talks by IQST early-career researchers.
12 October | IQST
Bayern wagt den Quantensprung
Die Bayerische Staatsregierung legt zur Förderung der Quantenwissenschaften und -technologien (QWT) mit etwa 120 Millionen EUR in den nächsten 2 Jahren einen wichtigen Grundstein für die Zukunftstechnologien in Bayern.
14 September 2020 | MCQST
© Jan Greune / MCQST 
©: Sonja Smalian/PhoenixD Team of Hannover Physicists Develops Rapid Mobile Test for the Detection of Toxic Blue-Green Algae
Scientists of Leibniz University Hannover (Germany) are part of a research project to achieve significant financial savings in water testing - waterworks, municipalities and bathing lake operators are to benefit.
12 August 2020 | PhoenixD
Driven Topology
Physicists from LMU München and Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics together with an international team succeeded in realizing a novel genuine time-dependent topological system with ultracold atoms in periodically-driven optical honeycomb lattices.10 July 2020 | MCQST
© Christoph Hohmann / MCQST 
© Electron Studios, UHH, Moritz A "breath of nothing" provides a new perspective on superconductivity
Scientists from Universität Hamburg and the Cluster of Excellence "CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter" have succeeded in observing strong evidence of superfluidity in a central model system, a two-dimensional gas cloud for the first time.
9 July 2020 | CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter
Research in Germany - Virtual Career Fair
Are you a junior researcher in the field of QST and looking for your next career step? Then visit the the Quantum Alliance booth at the international online career fair organized by Research in Germany on July 7th.
7 July 2020 | Quantum Alliance
© Joerg Lutz Munich Conference on Quantum Science and Technology 2020
The annual event brings together the MCQST community with international guests in academia and industry to strengthen the exchange of ideas and discuss the latest advancements in quantum science and technology.
6 -8 July 2020 | MCQST
Playing billiards with excitons – a milestone towards quantum simulators
In a collaboration of the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics in Munich with colleagues at Universität Hamburg and ETH Zürich, scientists completed a work that can explain a successful quantum simulation of certain properties of an ultra-flat semiconductor.
18 June 2020 | CUI:Advanced Imaging of Matter & MCQST
© UHH/Schmelcher, MPQ München 
© Pixabay Mit Wumms ins Zeitalter der Quantentechnologien
Die Quantum Alliance begrüßt die richtungsweisende Initiative der Bundesregierung zur Förderung der Quantentechnologien im Rahmen des Konjunkturpakets.
15 June 2020 | Quantum Alliance
Hamburg Prize for Theoretical Physics 2020 goes to Valery Rubakov
The Hamburg Prize for Theoretical Physics is one of the highest endowed awards for physics in Germany. The prize will be awarded to Rubakov in November in Hamburg by the Joachim Herz Foundation in cooperation with...
15 June 2020 | CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter
© Personal Archive 
© CUI / Peter Garten New international research network on quantum dynamics
Quantum dynamics in physics and chemistry is the focus of an international research network that has been recently established. The theory group at the Center for Optical Quantum Technologies at Universität Hamburg plays a key role in this newly founded network.
19 May 2020 | CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter