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FAQ: Quantum Computer – From Bit to Qubit

26/02/202114/03/2021Sabrina4 Comments

Quantum computers bring quantum physics into the spotlight. Because tech giants as Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Amazon are all over them, they are the talk of the town. In addition to scientific journals, daily newspapers and gossip magazines also report on qubits and their friends. Quantum computers are always explained “simply and compactly”. I could also write an article like this, but more specifically, I would like to address the misunderstandings and confusion that such articles often cause. This is not (necessarily) the fault of the authors because no one can adequately explain quantum physics in 5000 characters. Others, however, blatantly sell the quantum computer as a holy grail or Pandora’s box. As so often, the truth lies somewhere in the between.

Quantum world

Schrödinger’s Christmas present

19/12/202007/05/2023Sabrina2 Comments

Schrödinger’s cat is considered the mascot and heraldic animal of quantum physics. Ever since Big Bang Theory, at the latest, it has also been tapping into the living rooms of non-physicists. But as popular as she is, most people don’t really understand what she’s all about. Since Christmas is just around the corner and I strictly reject animal testing, I decided to do it a little differently: Let’s help Santa Claus and find out if a child is good or bad.

Academia

The Nobel Prize: When researchers become stars

10/10/202007/05/2023Sabrina1 Comment

Nobel Prize week is over. The one week of the year when scientists are stars of the media and everyone seems to be interested in research. If scientists were celebrated every day like musicians or movie stars and printed on posters in teen magazines – our world would certainly look very different. But until that happens, we’ll have to make do with this one week of fame.

Computer / Quantum technologies / Quantum world

Quantum technology 2.0

22/08/202001/03/2024Sabrina4 Comments

When you think of quantum technology, you think of quantum computers. Or science fiction, light sabres and half-dead cats. But quantum technology is more than the chase for the quantum computer. The second quantum revolution is about breaking boundaries and taming nature’s smallest building blocks. What emerges is a superlative technology: smaller, faster, safer, more precise. And not to forget: more incomprehensible.

Quantum technologies / Quantum world

Quantum technology 1.0

31/07/202024/05/2021Sabrina2 Comments

Quantum technology is on everyone’s lips. Boulevard newspapers report on quantum computers under the factual title “Computers will dominate mankind!” In most cases, quantum technology is presented mysteriously, as a product of the future: science fiction. But one point most articles keep quiet about: Quantum technology already exists and we all have it at home.

Computer

Hobbits in Latex

10/06/202001/03/2024Sabrina

Today we are talking about latex. Flexible, adapts to any shape, but sometimes a bit uncomfortable, especially for beginners. If you don’t think of black, tight-fitting clothes when you think of latex, you’re definitely a nerd. We are talking about the word processing programme LaTeX – probably the most important and most widely used tool among scientists.

How to PhD

5 ways to deal with flexible working hours

31/05/202007/03/2021SabrinaLeave a comment

In my series “How to PhD”, I would like to present different aspects of the life of a PhD student, or more generally, a researcher. Who has not studied or done a PhD (yet) has usually little idea of how research actually works. I would like to change that in an entertaining way and in small servings! The focus of this article: flexible working hours.

Quantum world

The identity crisis of light

27/04/202007/03/2021Sabrina6 Comments

Sometimes you have to make a choice. Some things you hate, for example, or you love them. Like Brussels sprouts, marzipan or Big Brother. In other cases, you have to take sides: Cats or dogs, Edward or Jacob, wave or particle. But as unlikely as it may sound, sometimes you can be two things at once. Although when this happens in the very foundations of physics, it can start heated discussions. Like at the beginning of the 20th century when Albert Einstein threw light into a deep identity crisis: wave or particle, which is it?

Quantum world

The two birthdays of quantum physics – Part 2: Einstein and the jumping spark

21/03/202001/03/2024Sabrina3 Comments

Is Einstein the father of quantum physics? Although most people associate him with the theory of relativity, Einstein made significant contributions to the development of quantum physics. In fact, he received his Nobel Prize in 1921 not for the theory of relativity, but for his explanation of the photoelectric effect – one of the key experiments in quantum physics. And like many discoveries in physics, this one was pure chance.

Quantum world

The Two Birthdays of Quantum Physics – Part 1: Planck and the Measure of Chaos

24/02/202020/02/2021Sabrina5 Comments

In my last article, I explained that, deep down, light consists of energy packets – quanta. These are created, for example, when light interacts with atoms, the building blocks of our world. That sounds very daring and raises many questions, some of them deeply philosophical. And while you are racking your brains about it, one question arises: Who actually thought this up?