Quantum research

Traditional computers process information in bits (0s and 1s), but quantum computers use quantum bits (qubits) that can represent both 0 and 1 at the same time. This unique ability, along with other quantum properties, allows quantum computers to solve certain complex problems far more efficiently than classical computers ever could.

Quantum Algorithms and Technologies of Emulation in High Performance Computing group

Led by Prof. Marko Rancic, the group focuses on further strengthening the university’s expertise in quantum software, algorithms, and interdisciplinary quantum research.

Research focus

• – Applied quantum computing: topics in optimization, physics and chemistry
  – Quantum-enhanced machine learning and hybrid quantum-classical models
  – Quantum Centric supercomputing
  – Developing courses and training programs in quantum computing
  

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Applied cryptography group

Led by Jean-Sebastien Coron, the group focuses on fully homomorphic encryption and post-quantum algorithms and on the secure implementation of post-quantum algorithms.

Research focus

• – Design of quantum secure cryptographic algorithms
  – Secure implementation of post-quantum algorithms
  

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Quantum information theory studies how information can be stored, processed, and transmitted using quantum systems. It bridges classical information theory and quantum mechanics, exploring how quantum properties like superposition and entanglement can be used to process information in new ways. Think of it as the theoretical framework that explains why quantum computers can solve certain problems faster than classical computers, and why quantum communication can be completely secure.

Quantum Information Theory Group

Led by Prof. Adoldo del Campo, this research group investigates non-equilibrium quantum systems with applications to quantum science and technology, as well as the foundations of physics. Their work includes developing shortcuts to adiabaticity for quantum control, studying the dynamics of phase transitions and topological defects, exploring quantum speed limits and information geometry, and examining open and noisy quantum systems.

Research focus

• – Non-equilibrium quantum systems and their applications in quantum science and technology.
  – Quantum speed limits, information geometry, and shortcuts to adiabaticity for fast and robust quantum control.
  – Open and noisy quantum systems and their behavior in real-world scenarios.
  

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Quantum Dynamics and Control Group

Led by Prof. Aurelia Chenu, the group focuses on using noise as a resource to control the dynamics of quantum systems. Another line of research focuses on many-body quantum systems. By studying the spectral statistics of complex many-body systems, they are able to quantify the amount of integrability / chaos and infer how regular is the resulting dynamics. They also study energy transfer in systems from physical chemistry, such as networks of chromophores, relevant for the study of transport in the photosynthetic light-harvesting complexes.

Research focus

• – Quantum decoherence and dissipation for quantum technologies (FNR Attract QOMPET).
  – Quantum thermodynamics, studying how energy dissipation affects quantum systems.
  – Quantum control and noise-resilient quantum systems.
  – Spectral analysis of many-body quantum systems and diagnosing quantum chaos.
  

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Applied Security and Information Assurance (APSIA)

APSIA’s mission is to develop and evaluate techniques to mitigate the multitude of cyber threats, and make the digital world more secure and trustworthy for its citizens.

Research focus

• – design and verification of cryptographic protocols
  – privacy-enhancing technologies
  – secure voting and digital democracy
  

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Quantum communication takes advantage of quantum properties to create highly secure data transmission systems. Because quantum states change when observed, any attempt to intercept the communication can be detected immediately. This makes quantum communication systems naturally resistant to hacking.

Quantum Information Theory Group

Led by Prof. Adoldo del Campo, this research group investigates non-equilibrium quantum systems with applications to quantum science and technology, as well as the foundations of physics. Their work includes developing shortcuts to adiabaticity for quantum control, studying the dynamics of phase transitions and topological defects, exploring quantum speed limits and information geometry, and examining open and noisy quantum systems.

Research focus

• – Non-equilibrium quantum systems and their applications in quantum science and technology.
  – Quantum speed limits, information geometry, and shortcuts to adiabaticity for fast and robust quantum control.
  – Open and noisy quantum systems and their behavior in real-world scenarios.
  

• Visit the group’s page

Quantum Dynamics and Control Group

Led by Prof. Aurelia Chenu, the group focuses on using noise as a resource to control the dynamics of quantum systems. Another line of research focuses on many-body quantum systems. By studying the spectral statistics of complex many-body systems, they are able to quantify the amount of integrability / chaos and infer how regular is the resulting dynamics. They also study energy transfer in systems from physical chemistry, such as networks of chromophores, relevant for the study of transport in the photosynthetic light-harvesting complexes.

Research focus

• – Quantum decoherence and dissipation for quantum technologies (FNR Attract QOMPET).
  – Quantum thermodynamics, studying how energy dissipation affects quantum systems.
  – Quantum control and noise-resilient quantum systems.
  – Spectral analysis of many-body quantum systems and diagnosing quantum chaos.
  

• Visit the group’s page

Signal Processing and Communications (SIGCOM)

SIGCOM conducts research aimed at designing, emulating and testing new high-performance systems for the future of mobile and satellite communications. Fields of applications range from 5G/6G telecommunications to satellite-based internet connectivity.

Research focus

• – increasingly efficient systems to transmit, analyse, and recover high-quality data
  

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Quantum materials exhibit properties that emerge from quantum effects rather than classical physics. These materials can conduct electricity without resistance, respond uniquely to magnetic fields, or display other unusual behaviors. Researchers study them to develop better electronics, sensors, and energy technologies.

Theory of Mesoscopic Quantum Systems Group

Led by Prof. Thomas Schmidt, this group focuses on topological quantum systems, nonequilibrium quantum systems, and quantum spin systems. Their research aims to answer fundamental questions and develop ideas for applications in quantum technologies, such as robust quantum computation using quantum nanophotonic devices.

Research focus

• – Topological quantum systems for robust quantum computing.
  – Nonequilibrium quantum systems, quantum coherence and transport in nanoscale devices.
  – Quantum spin systems, investigating exotic quantum states and materials.

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Quantum mechanics describes how atoms and particles behave at their smallest scales. Unlike our everyday world, where things are either here or there, quantum mechanics reveals a reality where particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously and interact in ways that seem to defy common sense.

Theoretical Chemical Physics Group

led by Prof. Alexandre Tkatchenko, the group develops accurate and efficient first-principles computational and artificial intelligence frameworks to study a wide range of complex molecular and material systems, aiming at qualitative understanding and quantitative prediction of their quantum properties at the atomic scale and beyond. The group includes and collaborates with physicists, chemists, biologists, mathematicians, and computer scientists; both in theory and experiment.

Research focus

• – Quantum field-theory approaches to molecular interactions
  – Quantum machine learning for drug discovery and materials science applications.
  – Quantum simulations of molecular systems, integrating quantum mechanics and artificial intelligence.
  

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Quantum photonics focuses on controlling and using individual light particles (photons) for technological applications. By manipulating light at its quantum level, scientists can create ultra-secure communication systems, precise measuring devices, and components for quantum computers

Ultrafast Condensed Matter Physics

This group develops novel ultrashort laser pulses and uses them to investigate the fastest processes that determine the properties of matter

Research focus

• – investigation of fundamental phenomena occurring in matter at ultrashort timescale
  – understand and control how light interacts with matter to unveil the microscopic origin of the properties of materials that are of high technological interest
  

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Geometric Structure and Moduli Spaces

This group studies geometric structures on low-dimensional manifolds, such as hyperbolic or anti-de Sitter structures, representations of surface groups in Lie groups, and their moduli spaces.

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Quantum refers to the discrete, minimum amount of any physical property in nature. It forms the foundation of quantum mechanics, which describes the behavior of matter and energy at the molecular, atomic, and subatomic levels. At this scale, nature exhibits properties that are fundamentally different from the classical physics we experience in our everyday world.

A qubit (quantum bit) is the fundamental unit of quantum information. Unlike classical bits which exist in a definite state of either 0 or 1, qubits can exist in a superposition of both states simultaneously. This property gives quantum computers their potential to solve certain problems exponentially faster than classical computers.

Quantum entanglement occurs when particles become correlated in such a way that the quantum state of each particle cannot be described independently. When particles are entangled, measuring the state of one particle instantaneously determines the state of its entangled partner, regardless of the distance separating them. Einstein famously described this as “spooky action at a distance.”

Superposition describes a quantum system’s ability to exist in multiple states simultaneously until measured or observed. Unlike classical systems which exist in definite states, quantum systems can exist in a combination of different states at once. Upon measurement, the system “collapses” into one of these possible states according to probability distributions predicted by quantum mechanics.

Wave-particle duality is a principle that describes how matter and light exhibit properties of both waves and particles. For instance, light can diffract and create interference patterns like waves, yet also behave as discrete particles (photons) in interactions with matter. This dual nature is fundamental to quantum mechanics and demonstrates the unique behavior of quantum systems.