In 2020, the Quantum Valley Lower Saxony (QVLS) was established in Hannover and Braunschweig. The project was initiated by the state of Lower Saxony and the Volkswagen Foundation and was the first in Germany to comprehensively address the topic of quantum technology, from the fundamentals to applications. QVLS is based on many years of excellent research in quantum technology. Researchers at the Leibniz University Hannover, TU Braunschweig, and the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt are particularly focused on quantum computers for applications in science and industry. Individual charged atoms (so-called ions) are used as quantum bits or qubits. Quantum computers promise to solve significant computational problems for humanity, such as in the research of new materials and substances, optimization in logistics, production, and finance, or machine learning. Even the best supercomputers cannot solve these problems within a reasonable time, due to principled limitations. Researchers at QVLS are currently bringing several of these quantum computers into operation step by step.
Now they can look forward to a new project: with ‘QVLS-BRIQ’, the state of Lower Saxony and the VolkswagenStiftung are supporting the further growth of quantum technology. QVLS-BRIQ is funding important topics in quantum computing, such as methods that make it possible to deal with the tiny computing errors caused by the fragile nature of quantum systems. In addition, the new project, which will run from the beginning of 2026 to the end of 2031, supports the further integration of quantum processors - for example, by generating the electronic control signals directly on the quantum chip.
However, quantum technology is more than just quantum computers – for example, sensors based on quantum effects can measure much more accurately, or quantum effects can make communication guaranteed to be eavesdrop-proof. These questions are also being investigated in Hannover and Braunschweig. In the Zukunftscluster project QVLS-iLabs, in collaboration with industry in the "High Tech Incubator" QVLS-HTI, and with many new startups that also create new jobs.
Above all, however, the new ‘QVLS-BRIQ’ project strengthens cooperation between researchers. The newly approved funds can be used to finance measures for science communication, for the transfer of knowledge from basic research to industry, for networking with companies and for public relations work. After all, UNESCO has proclaimed 2025 the International Year of the Quantum to commemorate the first fundamental formulation of quantum mechanics one hundred years ago.
