Helmholz Quantum Center

The planned new Helmholtz Quantum Center (HQC) is being financed by the Helmholtz Association with around 50 million Euros. It includes the construction of a new building with state-of-the-art experimental equipment for the development of quantum technologies on the Jülich campus.

Many of the existing activities in the field of quantum computing at the Peter Grünberg Institute will be brought together in the new building. Basic research, theory and development will work together under one roof at the HQC. The activities range from research into different quantum materials and nanostructures to the testing of various qubit concepts and the construction of prototypes and their operation. By assigning the laboratories to technology clusters, a natural environment is created for interdisciplinary scientific exchange and collaboration. A complex technology such as quantum computing requires close collaboration across a wide range of disciplines. In future, findings from basic research will be translated more quickly into technological developments.

The planned start of construction for the HQC building is in the first half of 2025, with completion of the building scheduled for 2028.

Technology Cluster

The HQC's experimental equipment, which is already being set up decentrally, will be bundled in the new building in future. The technology clusters are planned as follows:

Helmholz Quantum Center

Materials Lab: The design and production of new materials is one of the core activities at HQC. State-of-the-art equipment for the production of thin films from semiconductor materials has been procured and is already in use.

Precision Lab: In this technology cluster, high-precision equipment for investigating quantum effects at ultra-cold temperatures in a vibration-free environment is developed and operated.

Optics Lab: This technology cluster focuses on the interaction and control of quantum chips by means of optical phenomena, as well as the investigation of fundamental quantum dynamics.

Cryo Lab: The activities focus on the development and operation of superconducting and semiconductor-based quantum chips.

Electronics Lab: Chips for controlling quantum circuits are developed and benchmarked in this cluster.

The experimental work is complemented by theory and simulations.

Last Modified: 24.01.2025