Index

New in the QuantumBW ecosys­tem: IMS CHIPS

April 04, 2025 — New member joins the QuantumBW network

New in the QuantumBW ecosys­tem: IMS CHIPS

The Insti­tute for Micro­elec­tron­ics Stuttgart (IMS CHIPS) is the youngest member of the QuantumBW Network and a driving force for innova­tion in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, partic­u­larly in the field of electronic and photonic integra­tion technolo­gies. These areas form key compo­nents for quantum technolo­gies in the form of nanos­truc­tur­ing and the high integra­tion of electronic circuits. With IMS CHIPS, the quantum ecosys­tem in the region is growing by an insti­tute that combines scien­tific preci­sion with indus­trial appli­ca­tion in these impor­tant technologies.

Quantum technolo­gies are one of the key technolo­gies of the 21st century. They are opening up completely new possi­bil­i­ties in the fields of comput­ing, commu­ni­ca­tion and sensor technol­ogy. IMS CHIPS contributes to these devel­op­ments with scalable electronic and photonic integra­tion technolo­gies. QuantumBW is delighted about the new addition to the network, which, as a driving force in these areas, is advanc­ing the indus­trial appli­ca­tion of quantum technolo­gies in Baden-Württemberg.

Over the next eight years, QuantumBW aims to achieve broad avail­abil­ity of quantum sensors in mass markets in Baden-Württemberg along its quantum sensor technol­ogy roadmap. This is only possi­ble with strong partners like IMS CHIPS, who, together with the other players from the QuantumBW network, have the poten­tial to bring the first volume products in the field of quantum sensor technol­ogy to market in THE LÄND.

Research and devel­op­ment in scalable quantum sensors offers the oppor­tu­nity to secure a sustain­able techno­log­i­cal advan­tage for Baden-Württemberg, Germany, through a disrup­tive cutting-edge technol­ogy, similar to what MEMS technol­ogy achieved at the begin­ning of the millennium.”
Prof. Dr. Jens Anders
Insti­tute Direc­tor
IMS CHIPS
Porträt von Jens Anders, einem weißen Mann mittleren Alters.

About IMS CHIPS

IMS CHIPS (Insti­tut für Mikroelek­tronik Stuttgart) is commit­ted to cutting-edge research and ground­break­ing innova­tions in key technolo­gies of the future. As a leading insti­tu­tion in the fields of integrated circuits and systems, silicon photon­ics, M(E)MS technolo­gies and nanos­truc­tur­ing, the IMS combines scien­tific preci­sion with indus­trial application.

In close cooper­a­tion with the Univer­sity of Stuttgart and as part of the Baden-Württemberg Innova­tion Alliance, the insti­tute devel­ops customized solutions — from high-precision one-offs to special­ized small-batch productions.

With its pioneer­ing research projects, IMS CHIPS is setting new standards in litho­g­ra­phy, medical technol­ogy, optics and photon­ics, smart sensor technol­ogy, indus­try 4.0 and artifi­cial intel­li­gence. Through its involve­ment in high-profile projects, the insti­tute is driving progress, preci­sion and sustain­able technol­ogy devel­op­ment worldwide.

The commit­ment to sustain­abil­ity and energy efficiency is a central compo­nent of the institute’s work. It secures and expands the research and devel­op­ment of cutting-edge technolo­gies in Germany. In doing so, it relies on trans­par­ent and sustain­able processes and acts as a reliable partner to German indus­try. Partic­u­larly in the field of process devel­op­ment for nanos­truc­tur­ing, the insti­tute sets new standards and makes an impor­tant contri­bu­tion to the country’s innov­a­tive strength.

Success­ful start of the quantum roadshow in Baden-Württemberg

corner.designstudio
Auftakt der Quanten-Roadshow von QuantumBW in Aalen

Success­ful start of the quantum roadshow

Febru­ary 25, 2025 – Roadshow for the Inter­na­tional Year of Quantum Technologies

Success­ful start of the quantum roadshow in Baden-Württemberg

In the Inter­na­tional Year of Quantum Technolo­gies, QuantumBW, together with its partners Photon­ics BW and the German Chamber of Indus­try and Commerce (IHK), invites to the Quantum Roadshow on four dates. The success­ful kick-off took place in Aalen on Febru­ary 25. The focus of the event was on the current state of technol­ogy in the three subject areas of quantum comput­ing, quantum sensors and quantum commu­ni­ca­tion. At the digiZ location Aalen of the IHK Ostwürt­tem­berg, quantum technol­ogy manufac­tur­ers from the QuantumBW network and poten­tial end users from the region came together for a fruit­ful exchange.

On Febru­ary 25, more than 60 quantum experts, inter­ested parties and enthu­si­asts from THE LÄND gathered at the digiZ location in Aalen for the first stop of the quantum roadshow. After an opening on the status quo of the promis­ing quantum technolo­gies, the individ­ual views of regional compa­nies on the technolo­gies were presented in insight­ful pitches. Current projects and perspec­tives were discussed and the state of the art in Baden-Württemberg was highlighted, which, as it turns out, is at the forefront worldwide!

In the subse­quent inter­ac­tive exchange formats, there were lively discus­sions on the topics of quantum comput­ing, sensing and commu­ni­ca­tion. The central topic was how these technolo­gies can be utilized and thus brought into appli­ca­tion. In addition, visitors were able to experi­ence quantum technolo­gies first hand through various demon­stra­tors.

Dr. David Heisenberg an der Quanten-Roadshow
Dr. David Heisen­berg, grand­son of the Nobel Prize winner Dr. Werner Heisen­berg and member of Photon­ics BW, appeared as an ambas­sador for quantum technolo­gies. © corner.designstudio

The event featured an excit­ing program:

  • 15:00 Welcome by the hosts
    We are delighted to welcome our Photon­ics BW member Dr David Heisen­berg, grand­son of Nobel Prize winner Dr Werner Heisen­berg, as an ambas­sador for quantum technologies.
  • 15:10 Where do quantum technolo­gies stand?
    Overview of quantum comput­ing, sensors and communication
  • 15:30 Pitches from compa­nies
    Regional compa­nies present their current projects and prospects in the field of quantum technologies.
  • 16:00 Coffee break at the market of oppor­tu­ni­ties
    Exchange ideas with experts at inter­ac­tive stands.
  • 16:30 Inter­ac­tive exchange and network­ing
    Experi­ence excit­ing insights into quantum comput­ing, sensor technol­ogy and commu­ni­ca­tion at 10 stations. Discuss relevant research topics for your company.
  • 17:30 Summary and outlook
    Discus­sion of the results and a look into the future of quantum technologies
  • start­ing 18:00 Get-together with evening snack

The event in Aalen marked the start of the quantum roadshow, which QuantumBW is organiz­ing together with its partners Photon­ics BW and the German Chamber of Commerce and Indus­try (IHK) to mark the Inter­na­tional Year of Quantum Technolo­gies 2025. The roadshow will be visit­ing three more locations this year:

 

    • Stuttgart—July 21, 2025
    • Ulm—October 9, 2025
    • Freiburg start of November

Opening der Quanten-Roadshow
Where do quantum technolo­gies really stand? This key question was used to pitch the three topics of quantum comput­ing, sensing and commu­ni­ca­tion. © corner.designstudio
In addition to the enormous innova­tion poten­tial that the players in Baden-Württemberg have in the field of quantum technolo­gies, it became clear at the kick-off that platforms like the roadshow are needed to bring together devel­op­ers and poten­tial end users—this is the only way to jointly lever­age the poten­tial of quantum technol­ogy in THE LÄND.

Pioneer­ing Research in Baden-Württemberg: Opening of two Quantum Commu­ni­ca­tion Test Tracks

Elvira Eberhardt | Uni Ulm
Quantenkommunikation-Teststrecke Ulm

Opening of two Quantum Commu­ni­ca­tion Test Tracks

January 27, 2025 – Pioneer­ing Research in Baden-Württemberg

Opening of two Quantum Commu­ni­ca­tion Test Tracks

Baden-Württemberg is position­ing itself as Germany’s leading location for quantum commu­ni­ca­tion technolo­gies. With the opening of two impor­tant test tracks in Karlsruhe and Ulm, a decisive step has been taken towards realiz­ing the poten­tial of quantum commu­ni­ca­tion and quantum networks.

On January 22, 2025, the Karlsruhe Insti­tute of Technol­ogy (KIT) inaugu­rated a 20-kilometer-long fiber optic test line that connects specially equipped labora­to­ries on the South and North campuses. The track will enable researchers to develop and test quantum key distri­b­u­tion technolo­gies based on physi­cal laws to ensure eavesdropping-proof commu­ni­ca­tion. The test track is a central infra­struc­ture of the Cluster of Excel­lence initia­tive “Chem4Quant” and supports the research on quantum repeaters, which are essen­tial for the devel­op­ment of a future quantum internet.

Glasfaser-Teststrecke am KIT
The fiber optic test track is an impor­tant platform for quantum research and connects Campus South and Campus North at KIT. (Copyright: KIT)

At the same time, the Univer­sity of Ulm, in cooper­a­tion with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), put a 2.5‑kilometer quantum key distri­b­u­tion link into opera­tion on Febru­ary 27, 2025. This link, the first between a univer­sity and a non-university insti­tu­tion in Baden-Württemberg, enables the secure trans­mis­sion of infor­ma­tion using quantum keys. The project benefits from DLR’s exper­tise in optical commu­ni­ca­tions and quantum comput­ing and repre­sents a signif­i­cant step towards the practi­cal appli­ca­tion of quantum-based encryp­tion techniques.

Mitwirkende und Gäste der Vorführung der Quantum Key Distribution-Teststrecke
Partic­i­pants and guests at the demon­stra­tion of the Quantum Key Distri­b­u­tion test track (Copytight: Elvira Eberhardt | Uni Ulm)

Both test tracks are an integral part of the innova­tion strat­egy of the state’s QuantumBW initia­tive. The planned connec­tion of the test tracks via the Univer­sity of Stuttgart will create a statewide network that will drive the quantum revolu­tion in Baden-Württemberg. This strate­gic devel­op­ment strength­ens the region as a leading location for quantum research and appli­ca­tions and helps to increase security in areas such as medicine, finance and politics.

With these initia­tives, Baden-Württemberg under­scores its role as a pioneer in quantum commu­ni­ca­tion and offers researchers a unique platform for research and devel­op­ment of cutting-edge quantum technologies.