The universities in Kaiserslautern and Mainz are joining forces with the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM to form the Rhineland-Palatinate Quantum Initiative (QUIP) in order to strengthen networking and coordination of quantum research in Rhineland-Palatinate. The aim is also to specifically train young scientists in quantum technologies and prepare them for this new economic field. To this end, a graduate college and summer schools are planned. Foreign students will also be given an insight into the work at the participating institutions during research visits. The Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Science is funding QUIP for three years with around 1.2 million euros.

Science Minister Clemens Hoch presented the funding decision on March 17 at the RPTU in Kaiserslautern.

In the future, quantum technologies will make it possible to tackle key challenges in areas such as computing, sensor technology, energy technology, logistics and sustainability with completely new tools and methods. Quantum computers, for example, will perform computing operations much faster than supercomputers currently do. And quantum sensors could, for example, measure brain waves and tiny magnetic fields much more efficiently or quantum encryption programs could guarantee absolutely secure encryption when transmitting messages. These are just three examples that show how the technologies can be used in different areas.

In recent years, research has laid the foundations for this. Quantum research at the universities in Kaiserslautern and Mainz has also played a major role in this. "Decisive contributions to the development of modern quantum technologies can be attributed to work carried out in Mainz and Kaiserslautern, such as so-called 2-qubit gates and Rydberg gates, which are used as building blocks in quantum computers, for example, to perform computing operations," says Professor Dr. Herwig Ott, who coordinates the initiative and conducts research into quantum atom optics at RPTU in Kaiserslautern. However, these technologies have also long played an important role in non-university research institutions and companies in Rhineland-Palatinate, particularly in the development and testing of quantum algorithms.

The Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of Science held the "Quantum Technology in Rhineland-Palatinate" workshop in March 2022. This showed that the state is broadly positioned in the field of quantum technology, that some researchers are national and international leaders in their field and that Rhineland-Palatinate has a high volume of third-party funding in the field of quantum technology. "Quantum technology is a key technology of the future; the technological leap it brings will change the world forever. It was important that this workshop was held, as it highlighted areas with opportunities and potential for better networking of stakeholders across institutions, better visibility of Rhineland-Palatinate as a quantum technology location and the recruitment, training and retention of young talent. We are happy to provide support here on the path to the future and are making 1.2 million euros available for the implementation of the Rhineland-Palatinate Quantum Initiative until the end of 2024 in order to strengthen research and innovation in the state, taking these results into account," said Science Minister Clemens Hoch.

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU), RPTU, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics ITWM are involved in QUIP.

One important task that the initiative has set itself is the promotion of young talent, as Professor Dr. Werner R. Thiel, Vice President for Research and Technology at RPTU in Kaiserslautern, explains: "We want to attract prospective students, undergraduates and graduates from all over the world to the Rhineland-Palatinate and provide them with training and further education here. We also want to make them an offer to stay in Rhineland-Palatinate after their studies or doctorate." Professor Dr. Stefan Müller-Stach, Vice President for Research and Junior Academics at JGU, adds: "There is currently a lack of specialists in the region who are familiar with these new technologies. We also want to address this need with the new initiative."

A research training group is planned, which is open to all doctoral students from the quantum sciences in Rhineland-Palatinate and in which they can network with each other. The research training group also provides for soft skills seminars, a coaching and mentoring program and the establishment of so-called scientific focus groups, each of which will focus on one area of quantum research. There will also be regular meetings of the participants and lecture series.

As part of summer schools, doctoral students will also have the opportunity to study quantum computing and quantum sensor technology in greater depth. QUIP will also offer one- to six-month research stays, during which foreign students in particular will gain an insight into the work of the universities and institutes.
To make QUIP more visible, there will be a central contact point that will be responsible for inquiries and arranging contacts, among other things. In addition, the "Quantum Initiative Rhineland-Palatinate" website will provide offers and information for various target groups.

Questions answered:
Professor Dr. Herwig Ott
Arbeitsgruppe Quantenatomoptik/Fachbereich Physik
RPTU in Kaiserslautern
Tel.: 0631 205-2817
E-Mail: ott(at)physik.uni-kl.de