5 December 2019

Lukas Knips, PostDoc in Prof. Harald Weinfurter's department of Experimental Quantum Physics at LMU München, won the first place in the category "PhD theses". His work has been awarded for achievements in photonic-based research, which promises to enable future quantum technologies.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) awards this prize to outstanding and innovative master's and doctoral theses in the field of application-oriented quantum technologies. At the German Physical Society (DPG) fall meeting in Freiburg, the BMBF selected the winners of this year's Quantum Futur competition. The prizes were awarded during the networking event of the DPG Working Group Industry and Economy (AIW).

Strengthening young talent for quantum technology applications

In his welcoming address to the award ceremony, Frank Schlie, Head of Unit Quantum Systems; Postdigital Computers at the BMBF, emphasised the special focus of the award for young scientists: "With the award we would like to honour works that, in basic research areas, not only focus on scientific excellence but also on a vision for applications".

Lukas Knips was awarded first place in the category "PhD theses". He prevailed with his work on the topic "Effcient quantum state analysis and entanglement detection".

“In my PhD thesis, I worked both on experimental and theoretical aspects of genuine multipartite entanglement, quantum state tomography and various aspects of quantum measurements. Thanks to the close connection between theoretical and experimental research, we could develop new concepts for efficient and experimentally applicable verification of genuine multipartite entanglement. As entanglement plays a significant role for various quantum technologies, our tools will allow a faster and more efficient development. Together with the concepts for quantum state tomography and quantum measurements, I could contribute to a more versatile and powerful toolbox for the design and development of future quantum devices.” says Lukas. His work was undertaken in Prof. Harald Weinfurter group, part of the DFG excellence cluster Munich Center for Quantum Science and Technology (MCQST).

About the Quantum Futur Award

Together with the Quantum Technologies Community, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) launched the Quantum Future Programme in spring 2018 to make the progress of quantum technologies visible and to highlight career opportunities in science and industry. The Quantum Futur Award is part of the program: With this prize, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research honors outstanding and innovative scientific work with clear application relevance in the field of quantum technologies. The study prize is awarded in the categories Master Theses and Doctoral Theses.

Read the full article and about all other awardees on the BMFM website(in German).