EPFL welcomes teachers to learn about quantum science and technology

The group, led by physics and computer science teacher Yohan Sanchez, an EPFL alumnus, came for a half-day training session on the topic of quantum computing. Sanchez started the day with a one-hour lecture for his science teacher colleagues, where he equipped them with an overview of the physics and mathematical concepts underpinning the second quantum revolution.

This was followed by a presentation from QSE Center Academic Director Professor Vincenzo Savona on the history of quantum mechanics and the different research areas of quantum computing, quantum sensing, quantum metrology, and quantum communications, and the work being done at EPFL.

The teachers then visited two of EPFL’s quantum laboratories: the Laboratory of Quantum Gases of Jean-Philippe Brantut to learn about quantum simulation using suspended clouds of atoms, and the Hybrid Quantum Circuits Laboratory of Pasquale Scarlino, focusing on superconducting circuit-based quantum science.

“We received an excellent welcome from EPFL,” says Sanchez. “The presentations were very interesting and informative, and the lab visits allowed us to see the incredible complexity of the quantum systems designed at EPFL.”

“The participants engaged with enthusiasm and posed challenging questions to us, which made this visit hopefully the first of a future series of collaboration. We now trust teachers to share what they learned with for their students” says Philippe Caroff, executive director of the QSE Center, who coordinated the visit. “We hope engaging with students early on in quantum could lead them to future vocations and to study at EPFL, therefore diving deeper into this exciting field.”