Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics

*** Scientific Career at MPQ *** Building a career in science and academia is challenging. Nonetheless, many researchers have gone through this process successfully, and became well established in their field afterwards. The Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics is an ideal environment for excellent researchers who aspire to pursue a career in quantum optics – be it in academia or in industry or start-ups. In our latest video production, three of our senior scientists, Dr Dr Mari Carmen Bañuls from the Theory Division, Dr Philipp Preiss from the Many-Body Systems Division, and Dr Dmitrii Kormin from the Laboratory of Attosecond Physics share their own perspectives and opinions on a career in quantum optics and why they think the MPQ is the perfect (starting) place for it. 🤗 ➡️ full video (8:30min): https://lnkd.in/d46UfUHg

*** International Year of Quantum Science & Technology *** On the 19th of March, we offer a public lecture on quantum simulation and computing with ultracold neutral atoms - a promising approach to finding answers to fundamental questions i.e. in quantum chemistry or material sciences. The lecture will be followed by guided laboratory visits and supported by basic introductions to the institute and its key instrument: the laser 🤗🔦 ➡️Registration via https://lnkd.in/dZ5_VkbP (Please note: the lecture will be held in German & no prior knowledge is required)

🤩 Erlebe ein spannendes Wochenende, an dem wir das Quantenjahr 2025 #IYQ2025 feiern! Tauche ein in die faszinierende Welt der Quantenphysik, erhalte einen Einblick in den Forschungsalltag, und entdecke die neuesten Durchbrüche in #quantenkommunikation und #quatenkryptografie, die die Technologien die Zukunft gestalten. 📍 Deutsches Museum, Museumsinsel 1 📅 22. - 23. Februar 2025 🕙 Ab 10 Uhr ➡️ Programm: mcqst.de/quantenwochenende Was erwartet dich? • Führungen für Groß und Klein durch die Sonderausstellung „Licht & Materie“ • Vorträge – von Quantenkommunikation bis zum Forschungsalltag • Live-Show „Alice in Quantenland“ für Kinder ab 6 Jahren • Mitmach-Stationen mit Spielen und Demonstrationsexperimenten Technical University of Munich | Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München | Faculty of Physics LMU Munich | Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics | Walther-Meissner-Institute (WMI) | Munich Quantum Valley | #Quantenträume | #PhotonLab | PushQuantum | Forschungs-Neutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) International Year of Quantum Science and Technology Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft e. V. (DPG) #Quantum2025

*** Happy International Day of Women and Girls in Science *** Today, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience. At MPQ, we are committed to nurturing scientific talent and fostering opportunities for researchers from all backgrounds. That is why we established the Women in Quantum Optics (WiQO) postdoctoral program to promote the careers of outstanding female scientists. Applications are currently open: ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dGTB6Ucv But what's it like to be a woman in Quantum Optics? In our video portrait, three of our female scientists share their journeys, research, and experiences at MPQ. Watch the full video here: ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dUPWsmWP

Today's Quantum Tuesday #Quantendienstag is dedicated to celebrating #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience and encouraging more girls to pursue scientific careers. 🤩 Program with Dr. Dr. Silke Stähler-Schöpf and Sonja Ertlova of the PhotonLab! 📅 11.02.2025, from 14:00 📍 Deutsches Museum - Museumsinsel - Auditorium Ebene 0 ➡️ https://lnkd.in/d3GjzzAs #WomenInQuantum #WomenInScience #GirlsInSTEM #11February

*** Published in Nature *** In the quantum world, thermodynamic processes do not always unfold as expected. A research team at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics (MPQ) has experimentally shown that a quantum system's initial state significantly determines its relaxation behaviour. Using a quantum simulator with neutral atoms, the MPQ team created a tilted optical lattice that restricted atomic movement, disrupting the usual process. While some configurations settled into equilibrium as expected, others defied conventional thermalisation. The findings confirm theoretical predictions and provide new insights into the dynamics of quantum systems far from equilibrium. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dwkUuM5F

✨ Interested in #QuantumScience? Apply now for the MCQST Summer Bachelor Program in Munich! 🏙️ Spend four weeks exploring cutting-edge research, networking with peers and experts, and diving into hands-on quantum projects. 📅 Apply now!!! Deadline: 1 February 2025 📍 Details & application: mcqst.de/summer 🔗 Tag a friend who loves quantum physics! #QuantumSummer #BachelorStudents #SummerProgram #StudyAbroad #ResearchOpportunity #IYQ2025 #QuantumPhysics #QuantumTechnology #QuantumFuture Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Faculty of Physics LMU Munich Technical University of Munich Walther-Meissner-Institute (WMI) Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics

*** ERC Proof of Concept Grant *** Congratulations to Philipp Preiss, independent research group leader at MPQ, for securing a Proof of Concept Grant from the European Research Council. These grants aim to bridge the gap between fundamental research and practical applications, helping to transform new scientific insights into tangible societal or commercial benefits. With his project, FermiChem, Philipp Preiss and his team will further explore the use of quantum simulators based on ultracold fermions to tackle complex problems in quantum chemistry. In the long term, the project also seeks to expand the scope of fermionic quantum information processing and collaborate with academic and industry partners to identify real-world scenarios where this technology can provide value – even before fault-tolerant quantum computers become available. ➡️https://lnkd.in/dUqhC73j

Join us in celebrating the 2025 International Year of Quantum Science and Technology at the Deutsches Museum! 📍 Location: Deutsches Museum, Museumsinsel 1 📅 Date: February 22–23, 2023 🕙 Start: from 10:00am 🎯 Open to visitors of all ages ➡️ Program: mcqst.de/quantenwochenende Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of #QuantumPhysics, meet leading researchers, and get a glimpse into their daily work. Discover the latest breakthroughs in #QuantumCommunication and #QuantumCryptography and explore how these technologies are shaping the future. 🤩 What to Expect: 💫 Guided Tours of the "Light & Matter" exhibition. 💫 Public talk on the wonders of quantum communication. 💫 Insights into the daily lives and work of quantum researchers. 💫 Live Show: Alice im Quantenland" 💫 Hands-On demonstrations to engage with quantum concepts from the #PhotonLab at Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics, #QuantenRäume, Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology, Munich Quantum Valley, PushQuantum #IYQ2025 Technical University of Munich, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Walther-Meissner-Institute (WMI) Faculty of Physics LMU Munich ➡️ Program: mcqst.de/quantenwochenende

*** Recently published in Nature *** Paraparticles are indeed mathematically possible! For decades, quantum mechanics assumed that all observable particles fall into two categories: fermions and bosons. Now, this dichotomous view is being challenged. Theorists from MPQ and Rice University have investigated the intricacies of particle exchange statistics and shown that a third category – paraparticles – can indeed exist obeying exotic "parastatistics" markedly different from those of fermions and bosons. Using a second quantization framework, they mathematically demonstrated that paraparticles emerge as quasiparticle excitations in quantum spin models, questioning long-standing assumptions in condensed matter and particle physics. ➡️https://lnkd.in/dSViVYHT