Inside the Lab: IQST Early-Career Training Visit @Heidelberg
As part of the Early-Career Training Activities supported by the
IQST Graduate School @QuantumBW, the IQST Visit @Heidelberg
brought students and early-career researchers to the European Institute for
Neuromorphic Computing (EINC) for an afternoon of scientific exchange, hands-on
training, and networking.
The visit opened with a series of scientific talks highlighting current research
and innovation at the interface of quantum photonics and technology. Contributions
included a presentation on fiber-to-chip interconnects and reconfigurable photonic
circuits by J. Brandes, insights into superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors
and their applications by S. Ferrari, and a startup-focused talk by R. Bankwitz from
Linq Photonics, offering perspectives on the transition from academic
research to entrepreneurship.
A central element of the visit was the Pernice Lab tour, during which
participants rotated through five hands-on stations featuring live demonstrators.
These covered integrated photonic device characterization, fiber tapering using a
hydrogen flame, characterization setups for superconducting films and SNSPDs, active
fiber-to-chip alignment using a Fineplacer system, and a convolution-based neuromorphic
edge detection system. The interactive format enabled direct exchange with researchers
and provided valuable insights into experimental techniques and infrastructures.
The visit concluded with informal networking over refreshments, fostering discussions
across disciplines and institutions.
IQST warmly thanks the Pernice Lab and the entire hosting team in
Heidelberg for their openness, excellent organization, and commitment to early-career
training.
IQST Graduate School @QuantumBW: Three Days of Science, Skills, and Industry Insights
The IQST Graduate School @QuantumBW successfully ran a three-day program from 1–3 December 2025, bringing together its first international cohort of doctoral researchers, academic supervisors from across Baden-Württemberg, and representatives from the regional quantum industry. The event gathered participants from six countries across four continents and showcased strong links between academic research and local industry.
Day 1 – Project Presentations and Scientific Exchange
The meeting opened with welcome remarks by Prof. Dr. Stefanie Barz, Director of IQST, and continued with a full day of scientific exchange. Academic supervisors from five Baden-Württemberg universities — University of Stuttgart, Ulm University, Heidelberg University, University of Tübingen and University of Freiburg — presented the newly funded Graduate School projects.
A highlight of the day was the tutorial talk by Dr. Susanne Baumann (University of Stuttgart), titled “Controlling Individual Magnetic Spins on the Atomic Scale.” Project presentations by the academic supervisors were followed by a lively poster session, where PhD students presented their research plans, early results and internship timelines and engaged directly with supervisors and industry guests. Representatives from ten industry partners — active across the Baden-Württemberg quantum ecosystem and hosting student internships — also participated in the day’s discussions.
Day 2 – Early Career Training: Scientific Presentations Workshop
Day 2 launched the Graduate School’s Early Career Training series (open to IQST students and early career researchers across the region) with an interactive workshop led by Prof. Dr. Matt Carter (Williams College): “Scientific Presentations: How to Optimize Posters and Talks.”
Core principles of effective scientific communication
Crafting a compelling narrative
Designing clear, impactful visual slides
Presenting with confidence
Poster formats and practical alternatives
Participants worked through practical exercises, received peer feedback, and refined their presentation and poster skills in hands-on sessions.
Day 3 – Industry Visit: Swabian Instruments
The final day featured a visit to Swabian Instruments in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. The program included a company presentation and an introduction to time-tagging technology, followed by a networking lunch with company staff where students and employees exchanged views on careers and industry transitions. The visit continued with a guided tour of R&D and production areas and concluded with a practical, hands-on session using the Time Tagger API.
Thanks & Next Steps
We warmly thank all students, supervisors, speakers and industry partners for their contributions to a successful kickoff program. The IQST Graduate School @QuantumBW is funded by the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts of Baden-Württemberg (MWK) via QuantumBW. Stay tuned for further training activities and collaborative events across the IQST network.
We are happy to announce IQST Day 2026, taking place on 23 February 2026 at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). We look forward to inspiring talks, scientific exchange, and lively poster sessions.
You’ll find the preliminary schedule below — this page will be updated regularly.
09:45 – 10:30: Invited talk (40+5): Costanza Toninelli (INO-CNR, LENS, Italy) — Quantum Interfaces with Single Molecules
10:30 – 11:15: Invited talk (40+5): Julian Schmitt (Heidelberg University, Germany) — Quantum Matter Made of Light: Unlocking Fundamentals and Technology
11:15 – 11:45: Coffee Break
Session 2
11:45 – 12:30: Invited talk (40+5): Ian Walmsley (University of Oxford, United Kingdom) — Lighting the Quantum Future
12:30 – 13:00: IQST talk (25+5): Carsten Rockstuhl (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany) — Designed and Inversely Designed Quantum Nanophotonic Systems
13:00 – 14:00: Lunch break and posters
Session 3
14:00 – 14:45: Invited talk (40+5): Klaus Blaum (Max Planck Institute for Nuclear
Physics, Germany) — Trapped and Measured: Quantum Metrology in a Penning Trap
14:45 – 15:30: Invited talk (40+5): Halina Rubinsztein-Dunlop (University of Queensland, Australia) — Catch, Move and Twist Using Optically Controlled Quantum Sensors
15:30 – 16:00: Coffee Break
Session 4
16:00 – 16:30: IQST talk (25+5): Alexander Kühne (Ulm University, Germany) — How to Achieve High Luminescence in Organic (Di)-Radicals for Molecular Quantum Applications
16:30 – 17:00: IQST talk (25+5): Patrick Emonts (Ulm University, Germany) — Enhanced Adiabatic State Preparation for Tensor Networks
17:00 – 17:30: IQST talk (25+5): Julian Berberich (University of Stuttgart, Germany) — Robustness of Quantum Algorithms
17:30 – 19:30: Poster session and Networking (Refreshments)
Please click the link below to register for IQST Day 2026:
IQST at Quantum Effects 2025: Showcasing Quantum Innovation and Collaboration
The IQST team successfully took part in Quantum Effects 2025 in Stuttgart, presenting a broad spectrum of quantum research and technology integration from its partner institutions. At the IQST booth, researchers and graduate students engaged with visitors, demonstrating hands-on setups and sharing insights into ongoing projects in
quantum sensing, quantum computing, quantum networks, and quantum technology integration.
A special highlight was the presentation delivered by Jan Pusskeiler and Dennis Rieger, showcasing a collaborative project between the IQST Graduate School @QuantumBW and Qinu, an industry partner based in Karlsruhe. Their demonstration attracted great interest from visitors and exemplified the strong link between academic research and industrial innovation fostered within IQST.
In addition, the booth was visited by the Regionalräte, who had time to learn how IQST advances the quantum ecosystem of Baden-Württemberg both locally and internationally.
The booth also featured a social area, where visitors and participants could meet over an espresso, exchange ideas, and connect with members of the quantum community. All
students of the newly established IQST Graduate School @QuantumBW actively contributed to the booth, presenting their research and engaging with the public throughout the event.
Throughout the two days, IQST members fostered exchange across disciplines and institutions, strengthening connections within the quantum ecosystem and raising visibility for the vibrant research community in Baden-Württemberg.
A warm thank-you goes to all contributors — researchers, students, and staff — and to the visitors who took the time to engage with our team and explore the exciting work being done at IQST.
New Directors and Executive Board Appointed at IQST
New Directors and Executive Board at IQST
IQST is pleased to announce the re-election of Stefanie Barz (UStutt) and Fedor Jelezko (UUlm) as Directors. We also warmly welcome the newly appointed members of the Executive Board:
Stefanie Barz (UStutt)
Ilia Polian (UStutt)
Fedor Jelezko (UUlm)
Martin Plenio (UUlm)
David Hunger (KIT)
Philip Willke (KIT)
Christian Ast (MPI)
This leadership team will continue to guide IQST’s mission of advancing the understanding of nature and developing innovative technologies from fundamental quantum physics. By fostering synergies between physicists, chemists, engineers, and life scientists, IQST supports interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific excellence, and the growth of its research programs.
The newly formed board will play a central role in shaping strategic initiatives, supporting research networks, and promoting outreach activities that connect quantum science with society.
IQST thanks all fellows who participated in the recent meeting and voting process, whose engagement is essential to shaping the center’s future.
Stay connected for updates on IQST’s research, programs, and events.
“Die Forschenden” – IQST-Funded Film to Premiere in Stuttgart
We are pleased to announce the premiere of the film Die Forschenden, developed with the support of IQST. Members of the IQST community are warmly invited to attend this special event in Stuttgart.
In Die Forschenden, an impending retirement professor and his doctoral candidate strive to achieve the discovery of the century—a room-temperature superconductor. The short film explores themes of ambition, scientific passion, and generational perspectives in research.
The evening will begin with a reception featuring complimentary drinks in the foyer, followed by the screening of the film in Room 17.01 at Keplerstraße 17, Stuttgart. The event takes place on August 15 and starts at 19:00, running until approximately 20:30. After the screening, the audience will have the opportunity to take part in a Q&A session with the cast and crew.
To ensure that IQST researchers can sit together in a reserved area, we are offering free seat reservations for those who register by August 11. After this date, attendance is still possible, but seating will be open on a first-come, first-served basis.
We look forward to seeing many of you there and celebrating this exciting collaboration!
IQST Workshop at KIT Marks a Milestone in Network Expansion
On July 11, 2025, the IQST community gathered at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) for the first IQST workshop hosted at our partner institution. The event celebrated the growing collaboration with KIT, which officially joined IQST in 2024.
The workshop featured presentations from prospective IQST Fellows, covering topics such as superconducting quantum circuits, quantum materials, nanophotonics, and quantum communication. It was a vibrant day of scientific exchange, networking, and discussions on future initiatives within the IQST framework.
With KIT now fully integrated into the IQST network, our shared mission to drive quantum science forward through interdisciplinary collaboration gains even more momentum. “This will strengthen networking within the academic quantum community in Baden-Württemberg,” said IQST Director Prof. Stefanie Barz.
We’re excited about what lies ahead with KIT as an active contributor to IQST’s vision and scientific excellence
Quantum Science for Everyone: IQST at the Final Evening of “Physik – Die Wissen schafft”
On Monday, July 7, the Department of Physics at the University of Stuttgart concluded its public lecture series “Physik – Die Wissen schafft” with a well-attended and engaging evening focused on quantum technologies — proudly supported by IQST.
The event featured a public lecture by Prof. Dr. Stefanie Barz, Director of IQST and Professor at the Institute for Functional Matter and Quantum Technologies. In her talk, “Licht & Quanten: Von abhörsicherer Kommunikation bis zum Quantencomputer”, she guided the audience through the fascinating potential of quantum physics, from secure communication to the possibilities of quantum computing.
Following the lecture, visitors gathered in the foyer of lecture hall 47.02 for a quantum-themed exhibition and informal get-together. At the IQST booth, members of our community presented selected highlights from current research and chatted with guests over pretzels and drinks.
With over 170 registered participants and an enthusiastic atmosphere, the event marked a lively and memorable close to this successful lecture series — and highlighted the growing public interest in quantum science.
IQST Visit to the IBM Quantum Data Center in Ehningen
On July 10, 2025, a group of 40 IQST students and researchers had the unique opportunity to visit the IBM Quantum Data Center in Ehningen. The full-day event provided an in-depth look into IBM’s quantum computing activities and infrastructure, offering participants the chance to engage directly with experts from the IBM Quantum team.
The visit featured a series of technical presentations covering a range of topics including superconducting qubits, error correction and mitigation, hardware and software infrastructure, and near-term quantum algorithms. A highlight of the day was a live virtual session with IBM researchers from Zurich, contributing to the international scope of the discussions.
In addition to the scientific program, the group was introduced to IBM’s broader quantum roadmap and had the chance to network with members of the team. Throughout the day, participants also enjoyed informal discussions over refreshments provided on site.
The event was a valuable occasion to explore cutting-edge developments in the field and foster stronger connections between academic research and industrial innovation.
Lecture Series: “Physik – Die Wissen schafft” – Second Event Highlights
On June 5th, the second lecture of the public series “Physik – Die Wissen schafft” took place at the University of Stuttgart. Prof. Jörg Wrachtrup gave an engaging and accessible presentation titled “Genauer geht’s nicht! Wie Quantensensoren die Welt neu vermessen”, exploring how quantum sensors are revolutionizing our ability to measure and understand the world with unprecedented precision.
As with the first event, the evening featured a lively exhibition in the foyer of lecture hall 47.02. Visitors had the opportunity to interact with hands-on demonstrations and learn more about the latest developments in quantum science and technology. The event concluded with a relaxed reception over pretzels and drinks sponsored by IQST, providing a great space for informal exchange between scientists and the public.
We warmly thank all contributors and visitors for making this evening another successful step in our outreach journey.
Save the date: The third and final event of the series will take place on July 7th, once again in the same exciting format. A new, expanded exhibition will showcase even more partners and topics — from quantum networks and computing to cutting-edge sensor technology. Don’t miss it!
