Excursion to Fraunhofer IOF in Jena

Organized by Prof. Dr. Guido Dietl, Dr. Thorsten Albert Goebel and many of his colleagues, the students were given an overview of the Fraunhofer IOF and its current research activities.

This included exciting lectures on the physical fundamentals of optical quantum communications as well as on the basics of quantum key distribution applications. In addition, a tour of the institute's laboratories was part of the excursion. These hands-on demonstrations provided insight into current research in the field of developing single photon (entangled) sources as needed for quantum communication applications. Students were also shown how quantum mechanical concepts are already being used in the form of the QuBUS experimental platform to exchange information using free-space optical transmissions via lasers. As part of the qp-tech.edu project, they were also able to participate in live experiments on quantum random number generators and implementations of the BB84 quantum key exchange protocol. The visit to Jena was rounded off with a tour of the "Lichtwerkstatt Jena," a publicly accessible makerspace focused on photonic applications.