UE Quantum technologies

New quantum technologies are gaining increasing interest from governments and private actors, due to the promise of revolutionary applications in the fields of sensors, computing and communications. At the same time, to develop operational systems, quantum industry needs interdisciplinary competences and professional profiles that can understand the language of quantum technologies even without necessarily having a deep quantum physics background. The objective of this minor is to give students from different backgrounds the means to catch the principles of these technologies as well as their interest in their disciplinary context. This teaching, although open also to students with a background in physics, is thus intended also for non-specialists in quantum physics.

No previous knowledge of quantum physics will be requested. During the first part of the course, the fundamentals of quantum technologies will be presented in an accessible way to science students through a mix of lectures and tutorials. The second part of the lessons will be dedicated to the presentation of the numerous applications. The course will focus in particular on their practical interest in very different disciplines (chemistry, computer science, biology, electronics, physics ...). Note that, specific case studies will be identified on the base of the students’ interest and background and discussed together in class during the workshop sessions, animated by the teachers. The evaluation will be based on the student contributions at the workshop sessions and to an oral presentation of a chosen application. No final "questions and answers" written examination is expected.

It should be noted that a second course entitled “Quantum engineering” will complete this one during next semester (starting in 2022/2023). The objective of this second minor will be to answer the problem of the implementation of operational quantum devices by presenting the technical difficulties related to the realization of such systems as well as the proposed solutions, whether they already exist or are under development.