Press workshop "Quantum Technologies"

9:30 am: Arrival and registration (coffee and pretzels/biscuits)

9:45 am: Greeting
Dr. Jeanne Rubner, Vice President Global Communication and Public Engagement of TUM

10:00 am: Quantum phenomena at your fingertips: A journey through experiments and basic concepts
Dr. Judith Gabel, QL3: Quantum LifeLong Learning
At the level of the smallest particles, such as atoms or light particles, laws of a fundamentally different nature prevail than those with which we are familiar in everyday life. Because at the level of these quantum particles, quantum physics rules instead. Using live experiments with such quantum particles, Dr. Judith Gabel explains the basic concepts of quantum theory and makes the fascinating properties of the quantum world such as interference, superposition and entanglement tangible.

11:00 am: Quantum computers: what can they actually do and what is still missing for optimal implementation?
Prof. Rudolf Gross, Head of the Chair of Technical Physics at TUM, Head of the Walther Meißner Institute of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences and Humanities, Spokesperson of the Cluster of Excellence Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology and scientific coordinator of Munich Quantum Valley.

They calculate the best route to the destination in seconds, develop individually tailored medicines and optimise materials to make batteries for electric cars more efficient, for example: The expectations for quantum computers are high. How do the new supercomputers differ from classical computers? How do you work with Q-bits? And what is still missing to realise really large quantum computers? Prof. Rudolf Gross explains the basics and gives an insight into the current state of the art.

11:20 am: Short Q&A session

11:40 am: Laboratory tour Quantum Computing (Walter Meissner Institute)

Approx. 12:15 pm: Lunch and opportunity to visit the stands, which include an overview of the Bavarian Quantum Ecosystem, talk with researchers

1:20 pm: Quantum technologies and society
Urs Gasser, Professor of Public Policy, Governance and Innovative Technology, and Rector of the School of Public Policy (HfP) at the TUM
Fabienne Marco, Head of the Quantum Social Lab of the TUM Think Tank

Quantum technologies will pose significant political, social, ethical and legal questions for our society. For example, how should we deal with the fact that in the future, quantum computers could break encryption in a very short time and thus reveal information on which our security depends? And how can we as a society even discuss these challenges when the technology is so complex and difficult to understand? At the TUM Think Tank, these questions will be addressed by scientists together with actors from civil society and politics.

1:40 pm: Short Q&A session

1:50 pm: Sensors for the quantum world
Eva Weig, Professor of Nano- and Quantum Sensors

They could make navigation much more accurate, help to find mineral resources or even detect diseases earlier: The possibilities for applications of quantum sensors are almost unlimited. How can such quantum sensors be realised? And what hurdles still need to be overcome? Prof. Eva Weig and her team are developing tiny strings made of ceramic or semiconductor material, which are among the largest quantum mechanical systems. Eva Weig explains why nanostrings will be an important basis for sensors or building blocks of quantum technologies in the future.

2:10 pm: Short Q&A

2:30 pm: Laboratory tour Qunatum Sensors

3:15 pm: Coffee and cake

3:30 pm: Tap-proof communication without borders
Andreas Reiserer, Professor for Quantum Networks
The phenomenon of entanglement, also called spooky action at a distance by Einstein, enables guaranteed tap-proof communication. How exactly is this possible? And is quantum cryptography really 100 percent secure? Prof. Andreas Reiserer answers these questions and explains how a quantum internet could also connect quantum computers all over the world - and how atoms trapped in crystals help.

3:50 pm: Short Q&A session

4:10 pm: Laboratory tour Quantum Communication

Approx. 5pm:
Panel discussion/question session "What I always wanted to know about quantum mechanics"

6 p.m.: End of the event