Quantum Materials

At a glance | Challenges | Solutions | Contact | Research Groups

At a glance

Quantum materials such as semiconductors and superconductors are today used in lasers, smartphones, solar cells, and particle accelerators. In the “Quantum Materials” topic, Jülich scientists are initially developing innovative components and systems for technologies such as quantum computers or quantum sensors based on these established materials.

In addition, Jülich researchers are optimizing existing material systems to draw out new properties and performance levels from them as well as to develop entirely new systems. All this requires a deep understanding of emerging quantum phenomena in a wide range of materials and molecules.

Challenges

The quantum phenomena that give materials their special physical properties are complex, and the underlying quantum states are extremely susceptible to interference. To complicate matters further, unlike established technologies, the individual quantum states must be controlled in a very targeted manner if they are to be used to process and store information, for example.

This has already been achieved using semiconductors and superconductors for a limited number of qubits (the computing units of quantum computers), although the states’ susceptibility to errors in particular remains a major challenge. However, in order to realize error-corrected quantum computers with millions of qubits in the future, either the approaches used today must be further optimized on the material and device level or completely new ones must be developed.

Solutions

In a comprehensive programme, Jülich researchers are investigating and developing a wide variety of quantum materials and material systems that reveal their properties under extreme conditions such as ultra-low temperatures or strong magnetic fields. In order to understand the fundamental effects, the electronic structure must be investigated using methods that have been developed, in some cases, from scratch. To this end, Jülich researchers are testing traditional quantum materials such as semiconductors and superconductors, which are already used in technologies such as lasers and solar cells. Another class of materials that are still relatively new are topological insulators. On the surface of these insulators, electrons move depending on their electron spin, while the material in the interior behaves like an electrical insulator.

Jülich researchers were the first to succeed in integrating a topological insulator into a conventional superconducting qubit. These results are an important step on the way to realizing what are known as Majorana qubits. This type of qubit is regarded as a promising candidate for robust quantum states. Comprised of two quantum materials, these hybrid qubits are considered to be significantly more stable than semiconducting or superconducting qubits, which are sensitive and therefore prone to errors. Jülich researchers are also investigating quantum dots and other exotic materials that have unique electronic and magnetic properties.

Another world first is of great use in this area: as part of an international project, Jülich researchers succeeded in developing a special quantum sensor that can measure tiny magnetic fields on an atomic scale. It will be used in future to study new quantum materials. But it can also be used for quantum simulations with single atoms on surfaces or as a mobile qubit.

Another focus of Jülich research is the development of electronic circuits and systems that function at extremely low temperatures. Jülich teams also use simulations on supercomputers to research and develop new quantum systems in order to gain a better understanding of their behaviour and design new materials in a targeted manner.

To this end, Jülich offers unique technology laboratories such as the Helmholtz Nano Facility (HNF), where scientists can produce quantum chips, for example. In future, the Helmholtz Quantum Center (HQC) on the Jülich campus will cover a significant portion of quantum computing research activities – from the investigation of quantum materials to the development of prototypes.

Contact

Jülich Contact Person

Prof. Dr. Frank Stefan Tautz

Director of Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-3)

Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI)
Quantum Nanoscience (PGI-3)

Building 02.4w /
Room 317

+49 2461/61-4561

E-Mail

Principal Investigators

Prof. Dr. Stefan Blügel

Head of Institute: Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-1) Professur for Theoretical Physics at RWTH Aachen University

Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI)
Quantum Theory of Materials (PGI-1)

Building 04.8 /
Room R 152

+49 2461/61-4249

E-Mail

Prof. Dr. Samir Lounis

Head of Funsilab and Scientific Staff at Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-1), Visiting Scientist from MLU Halle-Wittenberg at Peter Grünberg Institute (PGI-1)