Scoring with quantum technologies

November 13, 2020

The University of Stuttgart attracts funding from the German Research Foundation for Research Training Groups
[Picture: Universität Stuttgart/PI4, Dominik Flöß]

The University of Stuttgart is going to establish a new Research Training Group “Towards Graduate Experts in Photonic Quantum Technologies” with the aim to utilize the large potential of quantum physics for future technologies. This new Research Training Group was recently approved by the German Research Foundation DFG for funding.

The Research Training Group will offer doctoral students the opportunity to complete their doctorate at a high professional standard and benefit from a structured research and training program.

Research Training Group “Towards Graduate Experts in Photonic Quantum Technologies”

Quantum physics has led to a variety of possible applications in the fields of quantum sensing, quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and quantum measurement technology – enabling highly efficient computers, tap-proof data transmission, and better diagnosis of diseases.

For all these applications, proof-of-principle implementations have been demonstrated. However, only a few of applications have been developed into commercially available products. The goal of the new research training group is exactly on fostering this transition.

The challenges of technology transfer in photonic quantum technologies are manifold: First, many concepts rely on exotic and costly materials or fabrication processes and are thus inappropriate for industrial applications. Second, proof-of-principle implementations have been demonstrated only in well-controlled laboratory environments. Third, the level of integration has to be improved, as typical demonstrations up to now require large setups with bulk components.

Tackling these challenges requires a new kind of professional: The Photonic Quantum Engineer, who is an expert in both quantum physics and engineering. Therefore, the Research Training Group will establish a new training program with a focus on interdisciplinary research and training. Each doctoral researcher will be supervised by one expert from physics and one from engineering.

The Research Training Group builds on activities of the Stuttgart Research Center of Photonic Engineering (SCoPE) and the Center for Integrated Quantum Science and Technology (IQST). SCoPE fosters interdisciplinary research between engineering and physics as well as academia-industry cooperations. It has established a Master’s program on Photonic Engineering. IQST stimulates synergies and high-risk projects in basic research in quantum science across fields such as physics, materials science, biology, engineering, chemistry, medicine, and information science.

Press release by the University of Stuttgart

Expert Contact:

Research Training Group “Towards Graduate Experts in Photonic Quantum Technologies” 
Spokesperson Department of Physics: Apl.-Professor Thomas Weiss, 4. Physikalisches Institut , Tel. +49 711 685 69847 E-Mail: t.weiss@pi4.uni-stuttgart.de

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