Quantum research

From explaining everyday phenomena such as sunlight, magnetism and molecular interactions to inventions such as LEDs, transistors and magnetic resonance imaging, quantum physics has revolutionized our world. Its basic principles were first formulated in 1925. A hundred years later, we are able to control the very smallest units of matter individually and put them to use in specific applications – such as computers that can solve complex problems, highly secure communication and extremely precise measurements in diagnostics or materials research.

Analysts have stated that quantum computing, quantum communication and quantum sensor technology could reach a market value of up to two trillion US dollars by 2035. Just as the foundation of quantum physics a century ago changed our understanding of the world forever, so too are current developments in quantum technologies likely to fundamentally change the world itself. For this reason, the United Nations has declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

Fraunhofer researchers are developing quantum systems for various applications and industries to help us find answers to the major challenges of our time, including those relating to the climate, health, transportation and security.

Quantum technologie

Quantum Sensing and Imaging

Quantum sensing and imaging make it possible to take measurements at the highest level of precision. Fraunhofer conducts research into practical applications for areas including medicine and industry.

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Quantum Communications

Quantum communication promises tap-proof data transmission. Fraunhofer is researching quantum cryptographic processes to improve the security of digital communication in many areas.

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Quantum Computing

To enable quantum computers to realize their full potential in practice, Fraunhofer institutes are conducting research into solving existing hardware and software problems.

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Knowledge Transfer / Recruiting

Fraunhofer supports a sound knowledge base for decision-makers, developers, researchers and students.

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Events

LASER World of Quantum
June 24-25, 2025 | Messe München

Quantum Effects
October 7-8, 2025 | Messe Stuttgart

Fraunhofer Quantum Lab
Fraunhofer IAO

Quantum Brunch
January 31-July 11, 2025 | Fraunhofer IPA

Events Quantu BW

Fraunhofer Strategic Research Field Quantum Technologies

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Networks and Collaborations

Fraunhofer Competence Network Quantum Computing

The Fraunhofer Competence Network stands for the development of a quantum ecosystem and for intensive networking — within the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft as well as with partners and customers from research and industry. The participating Fraunhofer institutes serve a broad spectrum of application fields, including logistics, the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, the financial and energy sectors, materials science, IT security technologies and many more. The network’s services are aimed not only at beginners who want to find out about quantum computing in general and make initial contacts, but also at experts who are seeking partners for specific research questions and projects.

Fraunhofer Competence Network Quantum Computing

Easy access to scalable manufacturing processes for industry and research

Quantum and neuromorphic computing require customized microelectronics as well as scalable manufacturing and integration processes. The Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD) — Quantum and Neuromorphic Computing Modules (FMD-QNC) links research structures to create industrial pilot lines. It offers researchers and companies technology consulting, manufacturing services and access to equipment.

FMD-QNC — Electronics research (German only)

Munich Quantum Valley

Munich Quantum Valley (MQV) promotes quantum science and quantum technologies in Bavaria with the primary goal of developing and operating competitive quantum computers. It connects research, industry, funding sources and the public, encouraging efficient knowledge transfer from research to industry, establishing a network with international reach and providing education opportunities for schools, universities and companies.

Munich Quantum Valley

Further information

Welcome to the quantum world

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Welcome to the quantum world

Quantum physics is not something most of us encounter in our daily lives. Everything we can experience first hand – the big stuff of our macroscopic world – obeys the laws of conventional physics. Sub-atomic particles defy these familiar principles. The laws of quantum physics rule on the atomic scale, where strange things happen. This is a world where elementary particles, atoms or even molecules can behave like particles or like waves. They can even exist in several states at once. Two particles can become entangled, so that one always possesses the complementary information on its twin, irrespective of the latter’s location. This uncertainty about a particle’s actual state goes to the heart of quantum physics. Rather than being in one state or changing between a variety of states, particles exist across several possible states at the same time in what is called a superposition. Nothing is fixed and anything is possible, so we are dealing with probabilities here – or, more precisely, with probability waves. We cannot know the exact position or state of a particle until we observe or measure it, which destroys the quantum state.

Wave-particle duality

Elementary particles such as photons or electrons, and even atoms and molecules sometimes behave like a wave, at others like a particle. A conventional particle can only occupy one position, but a wave propagates in space and can overlap other waves.

The quantum tunnel effect

The wave-like properties of particles allow them to move through energy barriers as if passing through walls. Humans consist of particles, so the theoretical probability of each particle in the human body possessing the ability to cross the rectangular potential barriers of a wall is greater than zero. Be warned, though: Attempts to demonstrate this ability could prove painful.

Schrödinger’s cat

Perhaps the most famous thought experiment for explaining quantum physics involves a cat and a flask of poison gas. The two are placed in a box containing a radioactive source and a mechanism that breaks the flask when it detects a radioactive particle. The probability that the poison gas will be released is given at any moment. The process of radioactive decay is an ideal randomizer for determining this moment in time. In other words, without any interaction with the outside world, Schrödinger’s “quantum” cat is in a state of superposition, entangled with the state of a radioactive particle. The cat is therefore both dead and alive its state remaining indeterminate until someone opens the lid to a look inside the box.

Quantum entanglement

Einstein once described this effect as “spooky action at a distance.” The properties of entangled particles are always complementary. And, although they may be light-years apart, they are inseparably linked to one another. If, for example, a state of vertical polarization is observed in one of a pair of photons, then the other must be horizontally polarized. And this despite the fact that its state has not been previously ascertained and no signal has been exchanged between the two particles.

Timeline: The history of quantum physics

1900

The dawn of quantum physics – Max Planck postulates quantum theory: light consists of tiny, discrete packets of energy known as quanta

1913

Niels Bohr first formulates a quantized model of the atom

1915

Albert Einstein postulates the general theory of relativity and posits the existence of photons as particles

1924

Louis-Victor de Broglie postulates wave-particle duality

1925

Erwin Schrödinger describes matter waves as probability waves and postulates the Schrödinger equation, one of the fundamental equations of quantum mechanics

1927

Werner Heisenberg formulates the uncertainty principle: the position and momentum of an electron cannot be determined simultaneously

1935

The thought experiment Schrödinger’s cat

1938

Otto Hahn discovers nuclear fission; the first atomic bomb soon follows

1953

European countries establish CERN (Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire) to investigate subatomic particles

From the 1950s

Scientists put macroscopic quantum systems to practical use, ushering in the first quantum revolution

1954

The first microwave

1958

The first microchip

1960

The first laser

1966

John Bell formulates Bell’s theorem: there are no local parameters determining the behavior of a quantum system

1974

The double-slit experiment with single electrons demonstrates the theory of wave-particle duality

1982

Experiments by Alain Aspect prove the hypothesis of quantum entanglement

From the 1990s

Scientists manipulate individual quanta, sparking the second quantum revolution

1997

Prof. Anton Zeilinger of Innsbruck University demonstrates quantum teleportation

In the 1990s

The first experimental quantum computers with 3, 5 and 7 qubits emerge

2014

Error-free data transfer via teleportation establishes the basis for a quantum Internet

2016

China launches Micius, the first quantum communications satellite, for research purposes

2017

China builds the world’s first quantum communications link

2018

The EU Quantum Flagship provides one billion euros for research.
The Fraunhofer lighthouse project QUILT gets underway

2019

IBM unveils Q System One, the world’s first commercial quantum computer.

Fraunhofer, Max Planck and DLR launch the QuNet initiative.

Fraunhofer kicks off the QMAG lighthouse project.

Fraunhofer and IBM announce plans to bring the first quantum computer to Europe