Demystifying Quantum

Modern computers are powerful machines, but they operate based on the laws of classical physics. But why restrict ourselves to classical laws? The world of quantum physics which is accessed in many experiments today offers a completely different set of laws and opportunities. This includes computing problems which cannot be performed on any classical supercomputers, such as structural calculations for materials and molecules. In physics, this could be applied to the design of advanced superconductors, while in chemistry it provides a new path to the development of industrial catalysts.

ETH Zurich features a diverse network of researchers in quantum technologies. On the hardware side this includes the realization of so-called quantum bits by ions, atoms, photons, superconductors or simply electron spins in semiconductors. These fundamental studies are connected to practical applications such as batteries or sound engineering. At this symposium, researchers from ETH Zurich will report about their research and connect it to the larger context of a ¡°Quantum Technologies Flagship¡± which will be started by the EU next year.