Queen's Lecture 2023 at TU Berlin
November
08,
2023 
17:00
- 21:00
"Constructing the world’s most incredible machines: Quantum Computers"
Making use of strange phenomena of quantum physics, such as "superposition" and "entanglement" (referred to by Einstein as "spooky"), it is possible to build computers that can solve important industry problems in a few hours, that would require millions of years on even the fastest supercomputer. Such problems include optimising financial transactions, creating new medicines, making aircraft engines more fuel efficient, simulate chemical reactions, breaking codes but really span across nearly any industry sector. The realisation of practical quantum computers will likely change the world we work and live in.
The challenge to build practical quantum computers capable of solving such problems has been described as a holy grail in science. Current quantum computers can only operate with around 100 quantum bits while most industry applications would require millions of quantum bits.
By inventing a new method where voltages applied to a quantum computer microchip are used to implement calculations, Hensinger’s group has managed to remove one of the biggest barriers traditionally faced to build a practical quantum computer using trapped charged atoms (ions), namely having to precisely align millions of laser beams to execute calculations with such a machine.
A quantum computer needs to be modular as each microchip can only hold so many quantum bits. Prof. Hensinger’s group will announce the demonstration of a powerful new approach where quantum microchips are connected via electric field links, allowing individual charged atoms to be transported from one chip to another.
Hensinger will discuss breakthroughs in research at the University of Sussex and work via quantum computing company Universal Quantum to construct practical quantum computers.
The event will be held in English.
Registration: Please, register until November 6th, 2023
Speaker
Prof. Winfried Hensinger is a Professor of Quantum Technologies at the University of Sussex where he heads the Sussex Ion Quantum Technology Group. He is the director of the Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies and a co-founder of Universal Quantum, a full stack quantum computing company located in in Haywards Heath, UK and Hamburg, Germany, where he serves as Chief Scientist and Chairman. He is also an honorary professor at the University of Bristol.
Hensinger has been working for over 20 years on building quantum computers with trapped ions that can solve important industry problems. In 2017, leading an international consortium, he announced the first industrial blueprint for building a practical quantum computer with millions of qubits.
Hensinger advised governments in the UK, Germany and USA about policy implications of his research, and he played an important role in the creation of UK’s £2B "National Quantum Technology Programme".