In two sentences: What does the Cluster of Excellence QuantumFrontiers stand for?
Our central topic is quantum metrology: we explore the limits of measurement, from the very small scales, such as individual ions or atoms, to the very large scales, such as gravitational waves. And on both small and large scales, we want to push these boundaries in order to expand our understanding of the world. After all, precise measurements are crucial for any progress in physics and technology.
Measurement accuracy is already very high today. Why is it important to measure even more precisely?
Fundamental questions in physics remain unanswered. For instance, we have not yet succeeded in unifying central concepts like gravity with quantum field theory. While we know that dark matter and dark energy must exist, we currently have no idea what they actually are. The highly precise measurement instruments we are developing can help find new answers. We are in search of new physics beyond the standard model.
It’s not just about fundamental physics, though. Our research also serves as a starting point for practical applications, for example in navigation. The positioning of smartphones and vehicles is based on atomic clocks. The more precisely these measure, the more accurate the location details can be, potentially down to a millimeter in the future.
More accurate measurement methods are also necessary for highly precise Earth observation and robust, efficient quantum sensors that can provide insights, for example, into changes in the water cycle and other environmentally and climatically relevant processes.
What has QuantumFrontiers accomplished in these areas during the first funding period?
We have taken a globally leading position in the development and research of atomic clocks. We have the best clock lasers in the world, the most accurate atomic clocks in Europe, and with the first realization of a novel atomic nucleus clock, we have taken a significant step toward the next generation of atomic clocks. Researchers have worked on this for twenty years.
Another example is our contribution to the discovery of gravitational waves. Only the laser light sources from Hannover brought the international network of detectors to the sensitivity level necessary to finally detect gravitational waves.
Over the last seven years, we have established QuantumFrontiers as a globally unique center for quantum metrology. And this is just the beginning: In the coming seven years, together with our partners, we will continue to push the limits of what can be measured and have a lasting impact on science and society.
What are the specific goals for the second funding period?
We will build on our successes and have set ourselves ambitious goals. In the field of clocks, we aim to reach the next level of precision and realise clocks with an inaccuracy of 10-19, i.e. 19 decimal places. This will open up completely new possibilities in the field of fundamental physics or geodesy - for example, to solve the mystery of dark matter.
However, we are not just carrying on as we did so far, but have added new aspects to our research programme. Quantum computing was previously not a focus of QuantumFrontiers. But with our expertise in trapped ions, the control of many-body systems and theoretical models, it fits in extremely well with our activities. Here, we will set a new focus in the coming years and make a decisive contribution to fault-tolerant quantum computing, a technology that can revolutionize materials science, cryptography, and communication.
And with our entirely new focus on Sharing Science, we want to ensure that the transfer of research knowledge to industry, politics and society succeeds in a positive way. Quantum technologies have the potential for far-reaching changes. As researchers, we must also address the social implications and cultural contexts. We want to make society quantum-ready.
The approval of a second funding period confirms the excellent research achievements of QuantumFrontiers. What is it that makes the cluster so successful?
We are a truly great team! QuantumFrontiers comprises more than 400 researchers from seven institutions in Hanover, Braunschweig and Bremen. And we are very successful in cooperating across team and institute boundaries. This enables us to achieve things that are not possible for individuals. This is also why we initiated the foundation of the Quantum Valley Lower Saxony. This network brings together science, business, and politics around quantum technology and will continue to exist even if QuantumFrontiers cannot be extended again after the second funding period ends.
