Physicists at the University of Cologne have taken an important step forward in the pursuit of topological quantum computing by demonstrating the first-ever observation of Crossed Andreev Reflection (CAR) in topological insulator (TI) nanowires. This finding, published under the title ‘Long-range crossed Andreev reflection in topological insulator nanowires proximitized by a superconductor’ in Nature Physics, deepens our understanding of superconducting effects in these materials, which is essential for realizing robust quantum bits (qubits) based on Majorana zero-modes in the TI platform — a major goal of the Cluster of Excellence ‘Matter and Light for Quantum Computing’ (ML4Q).

Physics has a problem – their key models of quantum theory and the theory of relativity do not fit together. Now, the German Research Foundation is funding physicist Dr. Wolfgang Wieland from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) as part of the Heisenberg Program to develop an approach that reconciles the two theories in a problematic area. A recently published paper that was published in the Journal “Classical and Quantum Gravity” gives hope that this could work.

Today, physicists are still asking themselves whether quantum mechanics needs hypercomplex numbers. FAU researchers Ece Ipek Saruhan, Prof. Dr. Joachim von Zanthier and Dr. Marc Oliver Pleinert have been investigating this question in their research.

A team of researchers from Würzburg has for the first time experimentally demonstrated a quantum tornado. Electrons form vortices in the momentum space of the quantum semi-metal tantalum arsenide.

With this cooperation, DLR is building a bridge between basic research and practical security assessment: QUANTITY is investigating the significance of quantum computers for cryptanalysis and is helping to identify new threat scenarios at an early stage and develop suitable protective measures to secure sensitive data and communication infrastructures.

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ), in collaboration with the chemicals company Covestro, have developed a new method for simulating chemical models using fermionic quantum simulators. The key advantage: The energetic states prepared in the lab obey the same laws as the electrons in molecules – which directly align with the molecular behaviour being simulated. By successfully mapping quantum chemistry algorithms onto their fermionic quantum simulator, the team has taken a significant step towards leveraging quantum computing for fundamental questions in chemistry.

Silicon is the best-known semiconductor material. However, controlled nanostructuring drastically alters the material's properties. Using a specially developed etching apparatus, a team at HZB has now produced mesoporous silicon layers with countless tiny pores and investigated their electrical and thermal conductivity. For the first time, the researchers elucidated the electronic transport mechanism in this mesoporous silicon. The material has great potential for applications and could also be used to thermally insulate qubits for quantum computers.

The consulting firm d-fine and quantum computing manufacturer planqc have been commissioned by the DLR Quantum Computing Initiative (DLR QCI) to advance the development of new materials. Within the DLR QCI project QuantiCoM, they leverage the strengths of quantum computers to enhance simulations of highly complex materials and develop industrially relevant solutions.

Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have invented an entirely new field of microscopy, nuclear spin microscopy. The team can visualize magnetic signals of nuclear magnetic resonance with a microscope. Quantum sensors convert the signals into light, enabling extremely high-resolution optical imaging.

Q.ANT, a pioneer in photonic processing for AI, has launched a dedicated production line for its high-performance photonic AI chips at the Institute of Microelectronics Stuttgart (IMS CHIPS), marking a significant semiconductor manufacturing milestone. By integrating Q.ANT’s patented photonic chip technology on the base of Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) material and upcycling the existing CMOS production facility at IMS CHIPS, the partners have established a first-of-its-kind manufacturing line to accelerate the production of energy-efficient, high-performance processors for AI applications. Q.ANT has invested € 14 million in machinery and equipment to complement the new line for photonic chips.