31.05.2021

TU Ilmenau taps into second-generation quantum technologies

Eleven Thuringian research institutions have today (31 May 2021) joined forces to form the Quantum Hub Thuringia in order to pool their expertise in quantum research – and are thus venturing into the future of quantum technologies. This new field of engineering promises new applications with unprecedented speed, precision and efficiency for a wide range of social areas. Thus, the new research and development network of high-tech institutions will make Thuringia a leading location for quantum technologies in Europe. The Free State is funding the competence network with six million euros over a period of 32 months.

Our world is made up of quanta, tiny particles of light and energy. These elementary particles are subject to their own laws and physical principles that seem to contradict our everyday understanding. Although some quantum phenomena have been known for over 100 years, today we use only a few as the basis for modern technology such as microchips or broadband Internet – first-generation quantum technologies. Other fascinating properties of the smallest indivisible units of the quantum world, called entanglement or superposition, for example, are now to be used for completely new, revolutionary technical solutions in the macro world. With the research network Quantum Hub Thuringia, the Free State wants to make such second-generation quantum technologies possible. Experts expect a quantum revolution in the next few years that will change our society in a way that only the introduction of microelectronics has done in the last 100 years.

TU Ilmenau/Michael Reichel
Prof. Jens Müller, Co-spokesperson of the Quantum Hub Thuringia and Vice President for International Affairs and Transfer at the TU Ilmenau

The Quantum Hub Thuringia wants to play a decisive role in shaping this upcoming technological upheaval and make the Free State of Thuringia a leading high-tech location for quantum technologies. The ambitious goal: to develop highly efficient technologies in three pillars of quantum technologies that far outshine the performance of conventional systems: in quantum communication, quantum sensor technology and quantum imaging. In order to demonstrate the possibilities and perspectives of the Thuringian quantum offensive to a broad public from business, science and society, demonstrators with lighthouse character are to be created at the Quantum Hub Thuringia, which will serve as prototypes to demonstrate the future viability of quantum technology. Prof. Jens Müller, co-speaker of the Quantum Hub Thuringia and Vice President for International Affairs and Transfer at TU Ilmenau, targets the specific fields of excellence of Thuringian science and the high innovative power of Thuringian industry: "With our research and development network, we have the potential here in Thuringia to transfer quantum technologies into socially relevant applications at an early stage."

Participating in the Quantum Hub Thuringia are:Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Technische Universität Ilmenau; Helmholtz Institute Jena (HIJ); Leibniz Institute for Photonic Technologies (IPHT), Jena; DLR Institute for Data Science, Jena; Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology (IDMT), Ilmenau; Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, System Technologies and Image Exploitation, Institute Division for Applied Systems Technology (IOSB-AST), Ilmenau; Fraunhofer Project Center for Microelectronic and Optical Systems for Biomedicine Erfurt (MEOS) (application via Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering IOF, Jena); IMMS Institut für Mikroelektronik- und Mechatronik-Systeme gemeinnützige GmbH (IMMS GmbH), Ilmenau; CiS Forschungsinstitut für Mikrosensorik GmbH, Erfurt.

 

Contact:

Prof. Jens Müller
Vice President for International Affairs and Transfer
+49 3677 69-5015
vpi@tu-ilmenau.de