EXC 2123:  QuantumFrontiers: Pushing the Boundaries of the Measurable

• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas ; Astrophysics and Astronomy ; Electrical Engineering and Information Technology ; Geophysics and Geodesy ; Condensed Matter Physics ; Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics ; Particles, Nuclei and Fields
• Term: since 2019
• Website: Homepage
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 390837967

“To measure is to know” – that is the essence of the natural sciences. Measuring at the quantum frontier is the essence of quantum metrology. The central goal of our cluster QuantumFrontiers is to carry out measurements with unprecedented precision to expand our horizons of knowledge in fundamental physics and geodesy and thereby open new and groundbreaking applications with quantum technology. Since its foundation in 2019, QuantumFrontiers, has successfully pursued this mission, achieving a series of groundbreaking results, securing leading roles in international collaborations, and developing a state-of-the-art infrastructure. With these achievements and continued support, QuantumFrontiers is ideally positioned to achieve further breakthroughs in quantum metrology of international significance during a second 7-year phase. To this end, QuantumFrontiers pioneers concepts for controlling light and matter at the quantum limit that make special quantum properties, such as quantum statistics, superposition, interference and entanglement, expressly useful for metrology. This requires not only manipulating individual quanta, but also mastering complex and entangled many-body systems. By scaling quantum systems using nanotechnology methods, QuantumFrontiers enables more precise and robust quantum sensors as well as practical applications – including in space. QuantumFrontiers achieves the necessary miniaturisation by utilising semiconductor technology and the heterogeneous integration of electronic, photonic and quantum components. Exploiting our research on concepts and scaling, QuantumFrontiers develops atom interferometers, optical clocks, next-generation gravitational wave detectors and more. These systems will advance the search for unknown forces, dark energy and dark matter, as well as for the correct description of quantum objects under gravity. Previously undetectable astrophysical events from the early days of the universe will become detectable. High-precision Earth observation will enable new insights into, for example, changes in the water cycle and other environmental and climate-relevant processes at both the regional and the local level. Robust, efficient and highly available sensors will enable measurements of pollutants in the air or integrated microscopy in the biosciences. By researching social and educational aspects of quantum technology, QuantumFrontiers promotes a lively exchange of knowledge between disciplines, researchers at all career levels, schools, the arts and the public. Uniting outstanding researchers from physics, engineering, computer science, and the social and educational sciences, QuantumFrontiers forms a unique interdisciplinary network. This network not only drives innovation but also solidifies the Hannover-Braunschweig region as a dynamic and global quantum centre.

• DFG Programme: Clusters of Excellence (ExStra)
• Applicant Institution: Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover
• Co-Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Braunschweig
• Participating Institution: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR); Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH); Max-Planck-Institut für Gravitationsphysik; (Albert-Einstein-Institut); Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB); Zentrum für angewandte Raumfahrttechnologie und Mikrogravitation der Universität Bremen (ZARM)
• Spokespersons: Professorin Dr. Silke Ospelkaus; Professor Dr. Piet Oliver Schmidt; Professor Dr. Andreas Waag
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Fei Ding; Professorin Dr. Elina Fuchs; Privatdozentin Dr. Eva Hackmann; Professor Dr. Klemens Hammerer; Professorin Dr. Michèle Heurs; Professor Dr. Carsten Klempt; Professorin Dr. Stefanie Kroker; Privatdozent Dr. Christian Lisdat; Professorin Dr. Tanja E. Mehlstäubler; Professor Dr. Guido Mueller; Professor Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Müller; Professor Dr. Rainer Müller; Professor Dr. Christian Ospelkaus; Professor Dr. J. Daniel Prades; Professor Dr. Ernst Maria Rasel; Professor Dr. Robert Raussendorf; Professor Dr. Patrik Recher; Professor Dr. Luis Santos; Professor Dr. Meinhard Schilling; Privatdozent Dr. Hans-Werner Schumacher; Professor Dr. Andrey Surzhykov; Professor Dr. Benno Willke