What are quanta and what are quantum technologies? How can there be advantages over using classical systems? Quantum physics seems abstract and difficult to grasp.

The lecture attempts making the topic more accessible. For this purpose, the very foundations of quantum physics are reviewed for a general audience with special emphasis on visualizing essential ingredients such as the quantum measurement process and the relevance of non-commuting operations.

Everyday phenomena are used to ease the understanding. On-stage demonstrations will be used whenever appropriate. So prepared, the concept of a quantum computer will be discussed, as well as the condition under which it can bring a computational advantage. Other applications of quantum physics will also be mentioned.

Before the Leopoldina Lecture by Professor Dr Gerd Leuchs ML at 18:30, the certificates will be presented to the new members of Class I Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Engineering at 17:30.

ML = Member of the Leopoldina