Shows
ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists23. Photonic Quantum Computing: Christine Silberhorn
In this episode of ML4Q&A, host Mira Sharma, an associated member of the Matter and Light for Quantum Computing (ML4Q) Cluster, chats with one of the leading voices in experimental quantum optics - Professor Christine Silberhorn from the University of Paderborn.
Christine’s groundbreaking work in integrated quantum optical systems has earned her numerous prestigious awards. She’s also a member of the Academy of Sciences and Arts of North Rhine-Westphalia and was appointed to the German Science Council in 2023. Her research focuses on making photonic quantum computing scalable and practical - using light part...2025-07-101h 05ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists22. Concepts, Chaos, and Cluster Coordination: Alex Altland
In this episode of ML4Q&A, Chris and Mira talk with Alex Altland, theoretical physicist and ML4Q member, about the tension between deep scientific thinking and the administrative reality of coordinating the renewal proposal of ML4Q.
As one of the designated spokespersons for ML4Q’s next funding phase, Alex shares behind-the-scenes insights into managing this large-scale effort — just days before the final decision in May 2025.
We also explore his enduring fascination with foundational concepts in physics, spanning quantum field theory, quantum chaos, and topological matter. Alongside his research, Alex reflects on the...2025-05-201h 06
Exzellent erklärt - Spitzenforschung für alleQuantencomputer: Ein Präzisionsspiel mit Boxhandschuhen
Die Episode gibt Einblicke in die aktuellen Entwicklungen der Quantenforschung und von Quantencomputern. Prof. Tommaso Calarco spricht über die Herausforderungen bei der praktischen Umsetzung und die Rolle von Netzwerken wie ML4Q. Zudem wird betont, wie interdisziplinäre Zusammenarbeit und strategische Förderung Europas helfen können, im globalen Wettlauf um Quanteninnovationen mitzuhalten. Besonders spannend ist die Diskussion über die Synergien zwischen maschinellem Lernen und Quantentechnologien, die neue Möglichkeiten für Optimierung und Skalierung eröffnen.
Der Experte
Prof. Tommaso Calarco ist ein führender Physiker im Bereich der Quantenkontrolle und des Quantencomputing. Er ist Direk...2025-05-0137 minML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists21. From Industry back to Academia: Mario Berta
In this episode of ML4Q&A, Chris and Mira are joined by ML4Q Professor Mario Berta, who shares his unique journey from ETH Zürich via Imperial College London and Amazon Web Services to RWTH Aachen University. They discuss his work on quantum algorithms, benchmarking, and bridging the gap between theory and industry, as well as insights into starting a research group and teaching theoretical physics. Tune in to explore Mario’s fascinating career path and hear about the quantum version of Stein’s Lemma!
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:19 Welcome Mario
00:02:39 Getting into quantum mechanics during the diploma thesi...2025-01-201h 19ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists20. From Academia to Industry: Frank Wilhelm-Mauch and Jan Goetz
In this special 20th episode of ML4Q&A, Chris and Mira celebrate the journey of the podcast, from its beginnings in 2021 to becoming a platform for exploring quantum careers, research, and innovation.
This milestone episode dives into the interplay between academia and industry in quantum technology with two distinguished guests: Jan Goetz, CEO and co-founder of IQM, and ML4Q Member, Frank Wilhelm-Mauch, researcher at Forschungszentrum Jülich and co-founder of Qruise. Together, they discuss the complementary roles of academia and industry in advancing quantum technology, shedding light on Europe’s pivotal role in the global qua...2024-11-201h 33ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists19. Rydberg atoms and dual career challenges: Sebastian Hofferberth
In this episode, Mira and Chris speak to Sebastian Hofferberth about his journey through academia as he literally went from Heidelberg to Harvard, to Stuttgart, then Denmark and finally to Bonn where he became member of ML4Q. We talk about the challenges of this nomadic lifestyle, which almost every longtime academic faces. Of course, Sebastian also explains his work in quantum optics with Rydberg atoms and shares his passion for teaching. He discusses how quantum mechanics (can be) seems non-intuitive at first but can be made more approachable.
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:00 Welcome Sebastian
00:03:20 Quantum optics between fundamental and...2024-10-081h 23ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists18. Quantum Error Correction: Markus Müller
In this episode, Mira and Chris talk with Markus Müller, a member of ML4Q and Professor at RWTH Aachen University and Forschungszentrum Jülich. Markus, an expert in quantum error correction, explains its importance in building large-scale quantum computers. He has supported pioneering logical qubit experiments on various platforms, including ion traps and superconducting qubits. They also discuss his recent work on avoiding mid-circuit measurements, a technique that benefits certain architectures and chip designs.
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:06 Welcome Markus
00:01:35 Reflections on the early career experience
00:21:44 A deep dive into quantum error correction
00:44:02 Getting to the promised land of...2024-07-311h 14ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists17. Quantum Chaos: Silvia Pappalardi
In this episode Mira and Chris talk to Silvia Pappalardi, who joined ML4Q as a junior professor in April 2023. Silvia heads the Qhaos group (spelled with a Q) and introduces our listeners to the topic of quantum chaos which might be a bit intimidating for many of us. So, join Chris and Mira as they get some intuitive explanations from Silvia about concepts like thermalization and ergodicity and understand how these concepts relate to entanglement.
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:52 Welcome Silvia
00:02:55 The decision to become a physicist
00:06:15 Fermi, Majorana, Parisi: working in the aura of notable mentors
00:10:04 Moving to...2024-06-251h 02ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists16. Ion-Trap Quantum Computing: Christof Wunderlich
In this episode Chris introduces Mira Sharma, his co-host of the show. Mira is a PhD student at IQI in David DiVincenzo's group. This is their first co-hosted episode, so it is an experiment.
For today’s episode Chris and Mira left the cluster bubble on a roadtrip to Siegen where they met Christof Wunderlich. Before recording, they were able to visit Christof's lab where it was fascinating to see the ion traps and have an interactive introduction to trapped ion QC. They also visited EleQtron, Germany’s first QC start-up.
00:00:00 Intro
00:01:42 Welcome Christof
00:02:17 The decision to beco...2024-04-301h 12ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists15. Quantum Communication and Fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics: Gláucia Murta
In this episode Chris talks to Gláucia Murta, a postdoc in ML4Q, who was won the cluster's Young Investigator Award. They talk about Gláucia’s passion for fundamental questions, device independence and a great outreach project, the podcast O Q Quantico she just launched in her home country, Brazil.
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:07 Why fundamentals of quantum mechanics?
00:05:41 Undergraduate studies in Brazil
00:13:00 Sandwich PhD in Poland and working on non-local games
00:40:16 Talking about device-independent quantum key distribution
00:47:47 Discussing security issues
00:51:25 Between solving safe communication and solving fundamental questions
00:57:00 Living and working in Düsseldorf and in ML4Q
01...2024-03-201h 17ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists14. Quantum optics and photon BEC: Julian Schmitt
In this episode Chris talks to Julian Schmitt, leader of the junior research group “Quantum fluids of light” at the University of Bonn. Julian recently received an ERC Starting Grant, the ML4Q Independence Grant and in 2022 he was awarded the ML4Q Young Investigator Award honoring his contribution to the cluster’s program which particularly requires the collaboration between different sites.
They talk about Bose-Einstein condensates and the differences between the atomic and the photonic sort. They recap how Julian got into the atomic molecular and optical physics (AMO) research community where major breakthroughs often seem to be possib...2023-12-1254 minML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists13. Global Quantum Leap: Steven Koester
In this episode, Chris talks to Steven Koester, Professor of Nanotechnology in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Minnesota. Steve - who is our first external guest - is joining us mainly as the Director of the Global Quantum Leap program – a network of networks including ML4Q - which provides an essential linkage between the fields of nanofabrication and quantum information sciences on an international level.
They talk about his electrical engineering background, how he got a first taste of quantum devices during his Masters studies at Notre Dame, eventually leading to his Ph...2023-09-2955 minML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists12. Electron quantum optics: Erwann Bocquillon
In this episode, Chris talks to Erwann Bocquillon, ML4Q professor at the 2nd Institute of Physics at the University of Cologne who started his group in October 2021. They talk about Erwann’s educational and research journey touching upon differences between studying physics in France and Germany. They also discuss electron quantum optics and learn about Erwann’s best memory from his PhD time.
00:00:00 Welcome Erwann
00:01:20 Talking about electrons
00:10:35 When did you get interested in physics?
00:16:15 Talking about Erwann’s educational path and the French academic system
00:32:40 Working on electron quantum optics during the PhD studies
00:53:00 Coming to Ger...2023-07-311h 12ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists11. How David DiVincenzo got into quantum computing
In this episode, we talk to David DiVincenzo, Director of the Institute of Theoretical Nanoelectronics at Forschungszentrum Jülich & co-founder of the Institute for Quantum Information which is a joint institute of RWTH Aachen and the Forschungszentrum. We start by listening to David's take on different aspects of the fast developments in the field of quantum computing. Then, we take a deep dive into the mid eighties and early ninties and discuss how David started working on quantum computing before Shor’s algorithm and quantum error correction were discovered. Naturally then, him and his collaborators at IBM were ready to...2023-05-121h 16ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists10. Quantum Chemistry: Christian Gogolin and Gian-Luca Anselmetti
We continue our new season by featuring members of the cluster who are working at the intersection with other stakeholders in the larger quantum community. In this episode, we talk to Christian Gogolin and Gian Anselmetti who are in-house scientists at Covestro and associated to ML4Q. We discuss solving chemistry problems with quantum computers, research in a company setting and the PhD student-supervisor-relationship.
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:45 What does Covestro do and what sort of projects is undertaken in its digital R&D department?
00:02:44 How did the partnership with the University of Cologne and ML4...2023-03-271h 15ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists9. Quantum (hype) control: Tommaso Calarco
In our new season we feature members of the cluster who are working at the intersection to other stakeholders in the larger quantum community. In this episode, we talk to Tommaso Calarco, Director of the PGI Institute for Quantum Control at Forschungszentrum Jülich, professor for Theoretical Physics at the University of Cologne and member of ML4Q. We discuss how he started working on apparently useless science which soon turned out to be the future of quantum. We also talk about many synergies: between theory and experiment, science and government as well as academia and rising startups in t...2023-02-011h 05ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists8. Quantum dot spin qubits: Jan Klos
We continue to feature some of our experimental physicists. In this episode, we talk to Jan Klos, PhD student and associated member of ML4Q. Jan - who is almost done with his PhD thesis - performed his project in the group of Hendrik Bluhm and Lars Schreiber at the JARA Institute for Quantum Information. In the episode, Chris talks with Jan about going from a Master project in simulating quantum dot spin qubits to a PhD project fabricating them. They also discuss outreach, student supervision, thesis writing and working with engineers.
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:35 Undergraduate studies...2022-12-131h 08ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists7. 2D Materials: Annika KurzmannA career which started with a dedicated physics teacher
We continue to feature some of our experimental physicists. In this episode, we talk to Annika Kurzmann, Junior Principle Investigator at RWTH Aachen and associated member of ML4Q. We talk abour her work on optical quantum dots during her PhD and bilayer graphene quantum dots in her postdoc and how she is now bringing this together to detect single electron dots in graphene. We also discuss the Ruhrgebiet, tenure tracks and starting a lab during the pandemic.
Visit https://ml4q.de/ml4qa/ for more podcast...2022-08-171h 04ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists6. Semiconductor Quantum Photonics: Beata KardynalEngineer and physicist in one heart
We continue to feature some of our experimental physicists. In this episode, we talk to Beata Kardynal, group leader at Forschungszentrum Jülich and at RWTH Aachen. We discuss her career and her training in electronic devices to using these devices to couple to single photons. She reveals her favorite materials and how she didn't see a strong distinction between physics and engineering from the start.
Visit https://ml4q.de/ml4qa/ for more podcast episodes
Visit https://ml4q.de/stories/ for more stories from our researchers a...2022-05-051h 02
Exzellent erklärt - Spitzenforschung für alleQuantencomputer – Wie nah sind wir der Anwendung?
Michael Köhl und Sebastian Diehl forschen an den Grundlagen quantenmechanischer Phänomene. Am Exzellenzcluster ML4Q bringen sie ihre Expertise in experimenteller bzw. theoretischer Physik zusammen, um Netzwerkarchitekturen für Quantencomputer zu schaffen. Es gilt viele Probleme zu lösen – zum Beispiel auch die Frage, wie Quantencomputer miteinander vernetzt werden können, obwohl die Quantenzustände, die sie zum Funktionieren benötigen, schwer stabil zu halten sind.
Die Experten
Prof. Michael Köhl leitet die Arbeitsgruppe Experimentelle Quantenphysik an der Universität Bonn. Seine Forschung befasst sich mit der Untersuchung ultrakalter Atome und gefangener Ionen zum Zweck d...2022-03-1543 minML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists5. Superconducting quantum computers: Rami Barends
We now move on to feature some of our experimental physicists and we start with Rami Barends, recently appointed head of the Institute for Functional Quantum Systems at Forschungszentrum Jülich and associated member of ML4Q. We will talk about his research on superconducting circuits and the long way from his PhD work on superconducting detectors for astrophysics to demonstrating beyond classical computation with superconducting qubits at Google. We will talk about research in the university versus research at Google and his plans for setting up his new group at the Institute for Functional Quantum Systems.
V...2022-03-031h 19
And How About You?Öffentliche Wissenschaftskommunikation – Marian Barsoum
Dr. Marian Barsoum ist Public Outreach Managerin im Fachbereich der Physik, wo sie in der Geschäftsstelle des Exzellenzclusters „ML4Q“ für die Öffentlichkeitsarbeit zuständig ist. Sie erzählt, wie die komplexen Inhalte der Wissenschaft nach außen getragen werden und was sie genau an ihrer Arbeit fasziniert.2022-02-1511 min
ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists4. Theory of topological quantum matter: Kathrin Dorn
In this episode of ML4Q&A, Federico Grasselli (Postdoc, Bruss group) speaks to Kathrin Dorn, PhD student in the group of Reinhold Egger, head of the Institute for Theoretical Physcs IV in Düsseldorf. They talk about Kathrin's PhD project and how she started off to combine maths, physics and arts in her studies and ended up in analyzing theoretical aspects in topological insulators.
Visit https://ml4q.de/ml4qa/ for more podcast episodes
Visit https://ml4q.de/stories/ for more stories from our researchers at ML4Q
Follow us on twitter: ht...2022-01-2432 min
ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists3. Quantum Key Distribution: Dagmar BrussIn a new podcast episode of ML4Q&A, Kathrin Dorn (PhD student, Egger group) speaks to Dagmar Bruss, professor at the Institute for Theoretical Physcs III in Düsseldorf. They talk about Dagmar's passion about quantum information theory, how a coffee break in Oxford changed her research focus to quantum key distribution, her experience with the impostor phenomenon and how she got involved in a supercosmos project in astronomical technology.
00:00 intro
01:35 from astronomical technology to quantum information
06:23 working at ISI in Turin and joining talks by Grover and Shor
08:10 from experiment to theory
10:38 how is your working day?
14:43 struggles a...2021-10-1537 min
ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists2. Quantum information theory and many-body theory: David Gross
ML4Q&A continues featuring theoretical physicists in ML4Q. In the second episode, Chris Dickel is talking to David Gross, professor in Cologne and vice spokesperson of the ML4Q cluster. David's research interests lie on the application of rigorous mathematical methods to problems in quantum information theory and many-body theory. We talk about his career path, advising student projects in theoretical physics, teaching quantum mechanics and the Google event he was probably never invited to.
Visit https://ml4q.de/ml4qa/ for more podcast episodes
Visit https://ml4q.de/stories/ for more...2021-06-0454 min
ML4Q&A - from the lives of quantum physicists1. Quantum Control in Ultracold Atoms: Martino Calzavara
The first episode of ML4Q's podcast - ML4Q&A - is now online!
Our guest is Martino Calzavara, a PhD researcher in the PGI-8 Institute for Quantum Control at the Forschungszentrum Jülich. We talk about him moving to Germany for his PhD and learning German, his experiences in academia as part of ML4Q as well as ultracold atom systems and how quantum control could help to cool these. We also talk about his simulations of these systems and machine learning, conferences in the times of a pandemic and Italian Pannetone vs. Pandoro.
2021-02-1239 min