February 26, 2026 -- After three years of construction, the "Photonic Quantum Systems Laboratory" (PhoQS Lab) at Paderborn University, a highly specialised research centre in the field of quantum technologies, was officially opened on Thursday, 26 February. Hendrik Wüst, Minister President of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Dr Rolf-Dieter Jungk, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space, and Ina Brandes, Minister of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, attended the inauguration ceremony of the new research building and offered their congratulations. At the PhoQS Lab, which now houses the "Institute for Photonic Quantum Systems" (PhoQS), scientists from various disciplines work together to bring basic research into application and develop future key technologies.

Representatives from politics, science and industry recognised Paderborn's cutting-edge research in the field of quantum photonics, which has the potential to fundamentally change the digital world. This is because photonic applications, i.e. those based on light, are particularly important for future communication, data transfer and sensor technology. The establishment of a scientific ecosystem will create national and international partnerships with leading institutions and companies that will increase the region's innovative strength. "With the PhoQSLab, we are opening a unique research centre in North Rhine-Westphalia for one of the most important future technologies of our time. Quantum technologies will fundamentally change our economy, our communication and our everyday lives. The ideas and innovations that will determine technological competitiveness, new jobs and sustainable prosperity are being developed here in Paderborn. North Rhine-Westphalia is demonstrating this: We want to play an active role in shaping the technological revolution and set international standards. With targeted investments in cutting-edge research, we are strengthening our location in the long term and creating the basis for future technology 'Made in NRW' to be in demand worldwide. The PhoQS Lab is an example of our ambition to further develop North Rhine-Westphalia as a leading centre of innovation and technology in Europe and of our goal to strengthen the technological sovereignty of our state," said Minister President Wüst.

State Secretary Dr Jungk explained: "Quantum technologies are the key technology of tomorrow, also recognised in the High-Tech Agenda Germany. The extraordinary effects at the smallest level offer the greatest potential for applications that are still unthinkable today. The PhoQS Lab will provide Paderborn University with a unique infrastructure with the best conditions for researchers. Paderborn will become a beacon of photonic quantum technologies - light will be tamed there in order to calculate, communicate and measure with it."

Science Minister Brandes states: "Top quantum research is at home in North Rhine-Westphalia. With the PhoQS Lab, we have created an outstanding research centre that sets new standards for photonic quantum research. Quantum technologies will help, for example, to make more precise and faster medical diagnoses or to encrypt our communications more securely than ever before. Quantum technologies will therefore revolutionise our digital world. As the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, we are investing in future technologies that will enable people to live a progressive and better life."

"Outstanding science in the field of quantum technologies and an infrastructure that is virtually unique not only strengthen North Rhine-Westphalia as a research location, but also national and international research in a field that is becoming increasingly important for all of our futures," said Prof Dr Matthias Bauer, President of the University. Photonic applications, such as those of quantum cryptography, can encrypt banking transactions, government data and similar information in a tap-proof manner and thus protect sensitive data.

Prof Dr Christine Silberhorn, spokesperson for PhoQS, presented a photonic quantum chip, one of the centrepieces of Paderborn's research. In the long term, the miniature chips could make a quantum internet with network quantum computers possible. The PhoQS Lab now has the right infrastructure for this: with a gross floor area of 7,950 square metres, it comprises four full storeys and a partial storey for the technical facilities. A special feature is the static separation of the office and laboratory wings by means of a sound-decoupling settlement joint, which guarantees vibration-free measurements in the laboratory area. The most sensitive measuring equipment rests on specially decoupled foundations that lie directly on the rocky ground and minimise vibrations. A clean room area of around 1,000 square metres ensures a clean environment with precise control of temperature, humidity and absence of particles. After all, a tiny speck of dust can ruin months of research. "The PhoQS Lab is a milestone for international quantum research. We can carry out extremely complex experiments here with the aim of implementing new research approaches in technology development for photon-based quantum applications and scalable quantum photonics," said Prof Silberhorn.

The keynote speech on the topic "When light sets standards - photonics and quantum technologies as key technologies for the economy and society" was given by Prof Dr Cornelia Denz, President of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweig.

The PhoQS Lab was already awarded the top rating of "outstanding" by the German Council of Science and Humanities, which makes recommendations for research policy, during the project and application phase. On this basis, approval was granted by the Joint Science Conference (GWK) in May 2020. In the GWK, the science and finance ministries of the federal and state governments work together with the aim of promoting the performance of Germany as a centre of research. Their decision is proof of the supra-regional importance of the PhoQS Lab. The total construction costs of around 82.7 million euros were borne jointly by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the federal government, which supported the project with funding totalling 24.69 million euros. Paderborn University contributed around 3.3 million euros to these costs. The building was planned and realised by the Bau- und Liegenschaftsbetrieb des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen (BLB NRW).