With the support of QuantumFrontiers, pupils from the regional round of the German Young Physicists’ Tournament (GYPT) in Hamelin and the state round of Jugend forscht were given an exclusive insight into research at Leibniz University. The QF Special Prizes enabled them to take part in a joint visit on 7 April, giving them a closer look at cutting-edge research in quantum technologies.
The QF Special Prizes were awarded at two separate competitions: the GYPT regional competition at the end of January at Schillergymnasium in Hamelin, and Jugend forscht in mid-March at Clausthal University of Technology. At the GYPT, all teams that had qualified for the national competition were awarded prizes; at Jugend forscht, the special prize was awarded to particularly committed participants with a clear affinity to the research topics of QuantumFrontiers. Both special prizes led to a joint research day in Hanover.
The programme of the visit included:
- An introduction to QuantumFrontiers’ research and its focus on precision measurement, quantum physics and gravitational physics.
- An experimental workshop on the Michelson interferometer at the foeXlab – a classic of interferometry and a fundamental experiment for modern precision measurement, as used in gravitational wave research.
- Insights and laboratory tours at the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute, AEI).
- A joint lunch in the canteen.
- A visit to the Hannover Institute of Technology (HITec), including a tour of the laboratories and a visit to the Einstein Elevator – a test environment for experiments in short-duration microgravity, which is central to quantum sensor technology and precision metrology.
The pupils from Hamelin were accompanied by GYPT regional coordinator Dr Endre Kajari (Schillergymnasium Hamelin). Dr Kajari had previously conducted research as a theoretical physicist at the University of Ulm in the QUANTUS collaboration project with LUH – the visit provided an opportunity to learn about current developments in this field.
QuantumFrontiers covered the travel and catering costs and, together with foeXlab and the participating researchers, facilitated the programme activities on site. In doing so, the Cluster of Excellence is strengthening its support for the next generation of scientists and drawing the attention of particularly interested pupils to its cutting-edge research.
