News from the Institute

For its mission to bring a “Made in Germany” quantum computer based on neutral atoms into industrial application, MPQ spin-off planqc was awarded the prestigious German Founder Award in the Startup category on September 9, 2025. Founded in 2022 out of Immanuel Bloch’s Quantum Many-Body Systems division, the company’s unique approach enables highly energy-efficient, scalable, and stable systems, rooted in decades of pioneering research at MPQ. more

Rahul Trivedi, tenured researcher in the Theory Division at MPQ, has been awarded an ERC Starting Grant of €1.5 million. His project ToNQS aims to develop new theoretical foundations to assess the reliability of quantum simulators operating under realistic noisy conditions. The research paves the way to exploring complex many-body phenomena – long before fully fault-tolerant quantum computers become a reality. more

This week, we could present one of MPQ's neutral atom experiments to the German Federal Minister for Research, Technology and Aerospace, Dorothee Bär, and the Bavarian State Minister of Science and Arts, Markus Blume. Their visit focused on gaining insights into the recent breakthroughs in quantum computing research and fostering dialogue between academia, industry, startups and government on how to further assure Munich’s and Germany’s excellent global position in the field.  more

Hans Schüssler was deeply fond of international collaboration. As a professor at Texas A&M University, he pursued research across the globe—from the USA and Canada to Japan and Qatar – mentoring generations of young scientists along the way. Every July, for decades, he returned to our institute and enriched ongoing research with his insights and experience. Now, he has passed away at the age of 93. An obituary on our dear friend Hans Schüssler.  more

With almost 200 participants – including 160 PhDs, Master's students and Postdocs – and representatives from twelve companies across the technology, consulting, finance and quantum sectors, amongst others Google, IBM Quantum, Infineon and planqc, the MPQ & MPP Career Day 2025 created a vibrant networking platform for early-career researchers to connect with companies and explore professional opportunities beyond academia. more