A visit to the Quantum Device Lab
Institute for Quantum Electronics (IQE)
What sort of options do high-school students have for their future? How does work in basic research look like? What do scientists explore in the Quantum Device Lab at ETH Zurich? Teachers of the canton school Zurich Oberland (KZO) wanted to know.
Quantum physics evokes many associations. One of these is quantum computing — the ability to use quantum physics in information processing. In the Quantum Device Lab of Professor Andreas Wallraff, superconducting circuits are being studied, among other things. These systems combine quantum optics and solid-state physics. Senior Research Assistant Dr Christopher Eichler, explained in the impressive laboratory how single quanta can be controlled and manipulated in microchips. To make this possible, the samples, which are produced at ETH Zurich, are cooled down to temperatures close to absolute zero, using large cryostats, a type of refrigerator. A visitor also observed how much skill is required to set up such experiments. The guests thus saw with their own eyes: research in the Quantum Device Lab requires a lot of patience and hard work. The teachers followed the explanations with great interest, and thanks to their many questions a lively dialogue ensued.
Before the visit to the laboratory, physics student Felix Bauer gave the guests a tour across the campus Hönggerberg of ETH Zurich. The campus saw in recent months new additions, with the opening of two large building complexes for student living. The tour gave the teachers a broad overview into life on campus and work in the research groups.