KIT Takes Quantum Leap: Joins Forces with European Quantum Center for Groundbreaking Research
Researching and teaching across borders – Professor Anja Metelmann from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) uses this opportunity in the Quantum Computing research field of the Upper Rhine university association Eucor – The European Campus. With the newly opened European Quantum Center in Strasbourg, which acts as a sister institute to the KIT Institute for Quantum Materials and Technologies, the scientist will further expand the collaboration between KIT and the University of Strasbourg as a bridge professor. This involves research on artificial quantum systems such as superconducting circuits or electro-optomechanical systems.
“Our group’s research focuses on the theory and applications of artificial quantum systems whose dynamics are governed by the laws of quantum mechanics. Prominent examples include superconducting circuits, electro-optomechanical systems and ultracold trapped atoms or ions,” explains Professor Anja Metelmann from the Institute for Condensed Matter Theory at KIT. In addition to investigating fundamental aspects, she researches artificial quantum systems for high-precision measurements, quantum-limited information processing and quantum computations.
The bridge professorships are cross-border professorships at the European Campus – the association of the universities in Basel, Freiburg, Mulhouse and Strasbourg as well as the KIT. They make studying, teaching and research on the Upper Rhine easier across national borders. The cross-border character of these professorships, which are supported by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and Art (MWK), is so far unique in Europe and is a pioneering project of the Upper Rhine university association. Anja Metelmann is the first holder of a bridging professorship between the two Eucor member universities KIT and Strasbourg. In the future field of quantum computing, she researches quantum sciences and technology. She also leads a research team at the University of Strasbourg. The professorship is also part of the 100 professorship program, with which KIT will make its cutting-edge research even more efficient and agile within ten years.
Artificial quantum systems in a European context
At the first German-French institute for quantum technologies, researchers like Metelmann have the opportunity to use additional research infrastructure such as laboratories, large-scale equipment and databases. “In addition to this framework, we also benefit from a multidisciplinary network that further promotes cooperation between KIT and the University of Strasbourg,” says Metelmann. “With many bright minds, we can join forces in the center and advance quantum technology research more quickly in order to put theory into application,” said the scientist.
“In our years of work with our partners in the Eucor network and other scientific institutions in the trinational Upper Rhine metropolitan region, we have successfully built a unique research landscape. The European Quantum Center now offers the additional opportunity to further advance pioneering applications of quantum technology across borders and to position ourselves well together in European competition,” says Professor Thomas Hirth, Vice President Transfer and International Affairs at KIT and Deputy President of Eucor.
About Eucor – The European Campus
Eucor – The European Campus is a trinational network between five universities in the Upper Rhine region. The members include the universities of Basel, Freiburg, Haute-Alsace, Strasbourg and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Together, the universities pool the skills of 15,000 researchers, 13,500 doctoral candidates and 117,000 students in a strong research and economic region between France, Germany and Switzerland. The aim is to build a clearly profiled scientific area with international appeal.