Research

Today’s quantum computers contain up to several dozen memory and processing units, the so-called qubits. Researchers from MPQ have successfully interconnected two such qubits located in different labs to a distributed quantum computer. Their system is the worldwide first prototype of a distributed quantum computer. more

The size of the alpha particle, the nucleus of the helium atom, has been measured more accurately than ever before. Results now indicate a size 1.67824(83) femtometers, which is 4.8 times more precise than previous measurements. The researchers used laser spectroscopy of exotic helium ions, where the electron is replaced by a 200 times heavier muon. more

Understanding systems of many interacting quantum particles remains one of the grand challenges in physics. Simulating such systems on supercomputers is impossible for more than a few particles, but promising approaches based on quantum simulators are on the horizon. more

Bavaria's leading scientists and universities kick off a new research initiative to promote quantum science and develop new quantum technologies. The Free State of Bavaria is supporting the project with 300 million euros. more

Physicists at MPQ have tested quantum mechanics to a completely new level of precision using hydrogen spectroscopy, and in doing so they came much closer to solving the well-known proton charge radius puzzle, which is baffling science for more than a decade. more