Rok Žitko: Slovenia in International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025

Quantum theory has proved to be extremely successful and is now understood as the correct description of the world and the universe. It has led to many insights into the properties of molecules and chemical reactions, the basic building blocks of matter, the conduction of electric current in metals and semiconductors, magnetism and superconductivity, the effects of light on matter, the formation of crystals and their properties, etc.

This knowledge has enabled the development of new materials, electronic components (transistor), light sources (laser, light-emitting diodes), sensors (CCD light sensor) and diagnostic methods in medicine (nuclear magnetic resonance). In recent decades, devices have been developed that make very direct use of fundamental quantum phenomena such as superposition of states, entanglement, the measurement process (wave function collapse) and tunnelling. In this way, we can now communicate in complete safety, measure time with extreme precision, generate completely random numbers and measure magnetic and gravitational fields.

We have seen rapid development of quantum computers and simulators - devices that will make it possible to solve some complex computational problems that even the best "classical" supercomputers will never be able to tackle. But the true potential of quantum physics is only partially explored, and we can look forward to many unexpected discoveries. Quantum technology will have a profound impact on our lives, social developments and economic progress. This has been recognised by the United Nations as it designated 2025 the International year of quantum science and technology, IYQ2025 .

Europe is at the forefront of quantum science and technology, with a very strong research base in all relevant areas of basic research and good prospects for developing advanced applications. The European Commission's Quantum flagship project has been under way for several years, with the aim of the initial preparatory phase by 2021 having been to develop the key building blocks, with the current "develop and scale-up" phase focusing on prototyping, raising the level of technological readiness and launching industrialisation. The European Commission is preparing a European Quantum Act that will chart the way forward, notably towards inter-country cooperation, pooling of resources and joint investment, to allow European autonomy in this strategic area.

In Slovenia, quantum science is one of the flagship fields of research with a long tradition and a series of high-profile achievements on a global scale. Slovenian researchers are internationally recognised and are a sought-after partner in international projects in fields ranging from experimental physics of fundamental particles, to quantum materials research and the theory of many-particle quantum systems, among many others. We are involved by developing new sensors and methods to analyse large volumes of measurement data, building unique instruments, and making challenging measurements, sometimes under extreme conditions of high pressures or low temperatures, developing new numerical methods to solve open conceptual problems and to predict new phenomena.

Researchers, organisations and companies working in the field of quantum research are united in QUTES - the Slovenian Quantum Science and Technology Community , with the aim of fostering collaboration between academic and industrial stakeholders in the field of quantum technologies, as well as to educate and raise awareness of the importance and potential of quantum technology among the general public.

To this end, we organise various events. For many years, we have carried out various activities in the weeks around World Quantum Day, 14 April, such as a workshop for high school students to introduce them to the basics of quantum physics, to enable them to assemble quantum devices and to visit laboratories. We also organise various lectures for both the professional and the general public, often by eminent foreign scientists and other experts in the field. This year, the events of Quantum Week are taking place in the wider context of the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

One of the most visible quantum technology projects in Slovenia is SiQUID - Slovenian Quantum Communication Infrastructure Demonstration . The consortium, led by the Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana (UL FMF), also includes the Jožef Stefan Institute (IJS), the company Beyond Semiconductor, the Government Information Security Office and the Government Office for the Protection of Classified Information. It aims to build a national infrastructure for the secure transmission of encryption keys and to prepare for later integration into the European terrestrial and satellite communications network, to increase the security level of encryption solutions, to prepare for industrialisation, to educate young researchers and engineers and to enhance sovereignty by developing our own solutions.

Several other Slovenian companies are active in the field of quantum technologies. These include Cosylab, Instrumentation Technologies, TipPri, CREAPLUS and the start-up AtomQL. They develop control systems for quantum device management and readout, quantum algorithms, encryption solutions and solutions for the preparation of cold atom systems in optical traps, among other things.

In addition to the IJS and UL FMF, basic research in the quantum field is also carried out at the Centre of Excellence in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology - Nanocenter, the Faculty of Electrical Engineering (UL FE) and the Faculty of Computer and Information Science (UL FRI), the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (FERI) in Maribor, and the Rudolfovo Science and Technology Centre in Novo Mesto.

Research areas range from communications (quantum entanglement propagation, time synchronisation solutions, integrated photonics), computer science (development of new algorithms and devices for quantum information storage and processing) and sensors (integrated sensors, magnetometers, quantum optomechanics).

A national strategy for quantum technologies is in the works to outline the further development of the field in Slovenia and the way the country will be involved in joint European efforts to build infrastructure, educate people, further fundamental development and industrialisation.

An important recent acquisition is the European Marie-Sklodowska Curie COFUND project for postdoctoral researchers, Slovensko središče za kvantno znanost - SQUASH , which will make it possible to recruit 40 promising young researchers from all over the world to work at the IJS and UL FMF.

The next ambitious steps will be to provide adequate laboratory facilities for the most demanding research and development projects, which require low vibrations, absence of electromagnetic interference and a dust-free environment and for which the construction of a new building is foreseen, the acquisition or own manufacture of dedicated cutting-edge research equipment, which will be globally unique and will put Slovenia on the world map, and the establishment of an effective support activity with the transfer of best practices from leading foreign centres for quantum research.

Slovenia thus appears to have considerable potential for further development of quantum science in basic research, as well as for developing solutions at higher levels of technological readiness. We can build on past scientific excellence, on highly-skilled local staff, who usually continue their career in Slovenian high-tech companies or, having completed postdoctoral training abroad, are keen to return to educational and research institutions in their home country, and on good links with leading groups and companies around the world.

However, the challenge is the difficulty entailed in obtaining research equipment and adequately equipped facilities, and the limited possibilities to incentivise employees, especially in academia. Nevertheless, the field is a magnet for budding young scientists.