Project description DEENESFRITPL New approach uses twisted quantum states to protect information Quantum science has the potential to revolutionise modern technology, with more efficient computers, communication and sensing devices. However, quantum system development is complex because their building blocks, consisting of only a few atoms, are so small that environmental stimuli render them unstable and often unusable. The EU-funded QUANTWIST project will investigate effects at the quantum level that are more stable when faced with environmental stimuli and can thus protect stored information. To this end, researchers will twist coupled elemental quantum systems to form a global, quantum state that will be more resilient to environmental perturbations. Quantum twists could serve as a topological source of entanglement, offering a noise-protection mechanism for future quantum devices. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Quantum technology will revolutionize information transmission, processing, and sensing with unprecedented potential for science, economy, and the society as a whole. Yet, the strong sensitivity of quantum systems to unavoidable environmental noise impedes quantum technological breakthroughs. Here, we propose to twist coupled elemental quantum systems such that they form a global, robust quantum state that is resilient against environmental perturbations. For instance, in magnetic spin chains, fixing the magnetization at one end while rotating the magnetization at the other end can result in stable quantum helices. Such quantum twists cannot easily be unwound: They exhibit topological protection. We want to explore the full potential of this concept and extend it to higher-dimensional twists including vortices and skyrmions, see Fig. (1). The main objectives of this project are to (1) theoretically describe quantum twists in chains and arrays of atoms; (2) identify concrete realizations in cold atoms and solid state systems; (3) supply a general theory for quantum twists and connect it to topological models in high-energy physics; (4) designing and implementing an on-top error-reduction scheme for quantum information processing. The presented approach is unrelated to known quantum-mechanical topological approaches in electronic and magnetic systems that rely on momentum space, adiabatic manipulations, or globally indistinguishable quantum states. Quantum twists can serve as a topological source of entanglement, quantum energy storage, and establish an independent and versatile noise-protection mechanism for future quantum devices. Fields of science natural sciencesphysical sciencesquantum physicsengineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcomputer hardwarequantum computersnatural sciencesphysical sciencestheoretical physics Programme(s) HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme Topic(s) ERC-2021-STG - ERC STARTING GRANTS Call for proposal ERC-2021-STG See other projects for this call Funding Scheme HORIZON-AG - HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based Host institution UNIVERSITAET HAMBURG Net EU contribution € 1 458 688,00 Address MITTELWEG 177 20148 Hamburg Germany See on map Region Hamburg Hamburg Hamburg Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 458 688,00 Beneficiaries (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by Net EU contribution Expand all Collapse all UNIVERSITAET HAMBURG Germany Net EU contribution € 1 458 688,00 Address MITTELWEG 177 20148 Hamburg See on map Region Hamburg Hamburg Hamburg Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 1 458 688,00
