Quantum science is the study of the universe at length-scales on which quantum mechanical phenomena dominate. Quantum technology uses the principles of quantum physics to create new device functionalities for applications such as quantum computers, metrology, sensors, and secure communication systems. Quantum science and technology leverage quantum phenomena such as quasiparticle formation, tunnelling, superposition and entanglement to push the boundaries of technology and our understanding of reality.
The master's programme in quantum science and technology has possible master's supervisors from multiple research groups across the departments of physics, mathematics, chemistry and informatics.
Department of Physics
At the Department of Physics, a broad range of quantum science and technology related topics is addressed in several research groups. Activities range from theoretical studies of fundamental quantum phenomena and the theoretical basis for quantum computing to experimental studies of quantum materials for potential applications in quantum sensing. There is also an interest in quantum sensing for detector development at CERN, and we have expertise in quantum physics education research.
Section for Solid State Physics and Quantum Technology
In the section for Solid-state Physics and Quantum Technology, we utilise state-of-the-art instrumentation (MiNaLab, NORTEM, international synchrotron facilities, etc) to make and study solid-state quantum materials, quantum properties and potential applications. In particular; defects in semiconductors for quantum sensing, many-body interactions for low energy consumption applications, low dimensional systems and emerging quantum materials which are as yet unexploited.
Whilst many of our ongoing projects are driven by applications in quantum sensing, our section has a broad range of activities encompassing fundamental studies of quantum materials and quantum phenomena with relevance for all aspects of quantum technology. Our work is of both of an experimental and theoretical nature.
Recommended prerequisites:
To complete a master project within our section, we recommend that you have completed the following courses or equivalent:
Theoretical Physics
A main goal in theoretical physics is to study the most fundamental problems in our understanding of Nature. In particular, we focus on questions that involve fundamental aspects of quantum mechanics.
In addition to research in high-energy physics, we have research experience on relativistic quantum information, Monte Carlo methods for quantum spin systems, characterization of entanglement in many-body systems, and frustrated magnetism. Currently our low-energy quantum research focus is on fundamental aspects in quantum optics, and on the physics of assemblies of superconducting quantum circuit elements.
Recommended prerequisites:
To complete a master project within our section, we recommend that you have completed the following courses or equivalent:
FYS3110 – Quantum Mechanics FYS3120 – Analytical Mechanics and Electrodynamics FYS3140 – Mathematical Methods in Physics
Computational Physics/Science?
Our research includes studies of material properties such as topology and many-body methods for electronic structure, devising quantum gates and circuits, fundamental theoretical understanding of entanglement and superposition, as well as quantum algorithm developments and machine learning for quantum technologies.
Recommended prerequisites:
To complete a master project within computational physics towards QS&T, we recommend that you have completed the following courses or equivalent:
Department of Chemistry
At the Department of Chemistry there are essentially two academically strong environments that work within or closely adjacent to quantum science. These are the theoretical chemistry environment organized in the Hylleraas Centre and the materials chemistry/science groups organized in the Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (the Section for Inorganic Materials Chemistry and the Section for Electrochemistry).
Section?for?Inorganic?Materials?Chemistry?(NAFUMA)
Section?for?inorganic?materials?chemistry?has?capacity?to?synthesize?and?characterize?inorganic?samples (0D, 1D, 2D and 3D)?exhibiting?quantum?properties?and materials for?quantum?sensors and quantum computation. Through synthesis we manipulate charge, spin, orbital and crystal?structure?to?achieve?special?electronic?and?magnetic?properties. This?includes?superconductors,?complex?magnetic?materials,?magnetoelectric?materials as?well?as?heterostructures?and tunnel?junctions. This?includes?both?traditional?and?topological?materials. In?addition,?we?design?defect?structures?by?distributing?individual?atoms or?molecules?in?crystalline?coatings?with?high?precision.?
In a?wider?sense,?our?activity?also?includes?synthesis?and studies?of?features?of?tunable?nanoparticles?as?well?as 1D and 2D?functional?materials.?
Recommended prerequisites:
To complete a master project within our section, we recommend that you have completed the following courses or equivalent:
KJM1121 – Inorganic Chemistry MENA1001 – Materials, Energy and Nanotechnology MENA3001 – Functional Materials
Section for Electro Chemistry
Characterization of point defects in crystalline materials relevant to quantum sensors, and synthesis and characterization of coherent metal nanoparticles embedded in metal oxides (relevant for quantum confinement effects).
Recommended prerequisites:
To complete a master project within our section, we recommend that you have completed the following courses or equivalent:
KJM1121 – Inorganic Chemistry MENA1001 – Materials, Energy and Nanotechnology MENA3001 – Functional Materials
Section for Theoretical Chemistry / The Hylleraas Centre??
Section for Theoretical Chemistry / the Hylleraas Centre is an internationally leading research environment in quantum chemistry, focusing on the development of new computational methods and their application to chemical and physical problems, including chemical reactivity, catalysis, ultrafast spectroscopy, and chemistry in extreme environments. A central research goal is to control atomic and molecular quantum systems using laser pulses and static electromagnetic fields.
Recommended prerequisites:
To complete a master project within our section, we recommend that you have completed the following courses or equivalent:
KJM1130 – Physical Chemistry I - Thermodynamics and Kinetics KJM3600 – Molecular Modeling (continued) MENA1001 – Materials, Energy and Nanotechnology
Department of Mathematics
The Department of Mathematics has expertise in research directions that are important for the quantum science and technology. In particular, we have a strong focus on quantum information theory, quantum mathematics, and computational mathematics which are crucial to the understanding of quantum phenomena.
Quantum Information Theory
This field studies the theoretical foundation on which quantum technologies are based. Questions like "How to protect quantum data against disturbance?", "At what speed can quantum information be sent over a physical carrier?" or "What kind of problems can be solved faster on a quantum computer than on a classical computer?" are typical questions studied in this field. Within quantum information theory, mathematics provides theoretical frameworks and essential tools to study questions on the possibilities, limitations and validity of potential quantum technologies.
Current research emphasis includes devising quantum error correcting codes, the study of conversion rates of quantum entanglement and the theoretical study of quantum communication.
Required prerequisites:
To complete a master project within this direction, we require that you have completed the following courses or equivalent:
Quantum Mathematics and Operator Algebras
Noncommutativity of observables plays a crucial role at the heart of quantum mechanics. This leads to the concept of algebra of operators generated by a distinguished class of observables on the quantized system, which formed the basis of Operator Algebra in the last century, a relatively new field of mathematics sitting at the intersection of functional analysis, algebra, and dynamical systems. This has been crucial to the development of fundamental concepts about quantized systems.
- Equilibrium states in quantum spin chains, through infinite-dimensional operator algebras generated by localized observables and their transformations.
- Topological phase of matter, through the K-theory of noncommutative operator algebras.
- Superselection sectors in quantum field theories, through the theory of unitary braided tensor categories.
The research of the group in operator algebras at Department of Mathematics has focus on topics related to above, with view on applications in harmonic analysis, dynamical systems, numerical approximation of spectra, wavelet theory and noncommutative geometry of quantum groups.
Current research topics include developing theoretical models for noise-free topological quantum computation, establishing foundational frameworks that address computational needs in quantum chemistry, providing insight and tools to advance the design of new quantum algorithms.
Required prerequisites:
To complete a master project within this direction, we require that you have completed the following courses or equivalent:
Computational Mathematics
In the direction of computational mathematics, we have focus on the following topics that are directly relevant to Quantum Technology.
- Circuit synthesis, compilation.
- Combinatorial matrix theory; so the study of certain classes of matrices from a combinatorial point of view, or geometric, using convexity and polyhedral theory.
- Numerical methods for stochastic and partial differential equations, Monte Carlo methods and data assimilation.
Required prerequisites:
To complete a master project within this direction, we require that you have completed the following courses or equivalent:
Department of Informatics
The Department of Informatics has expertise in research directions within quantum science and technology that touches into programming language technology and models for quantum computations, as well as machine learning and algorithms.
Hybrid Quantum-Classical Programming and Models
In this direction, you will get a deep understanding of programming languages and models and their relation to real machines and algorithms. This is centered on hybrid quantum-classical programming (HQP), which is founded in the fact the quantum computers will work in concert with other modern computing systems, like HPC and AI.
You learn about theoretical aspects of designing programming languages, algorithms, and models for quantum computations and how this can be transformed into computations spanning both quantum and classical computing machines.
Recommended prerequisites:
To complete a master project related to QS&T at the Department of Informatics, we recommend that you have completed the following courses or equivalent during your BSc degree: