Cooperation agreement. Development of quantum research in Poland

Appreciating the increasing importance of quantum technologies for the industry of the future, the representatives of six Polish universities and two institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences, implementing the largest projects in the field of quantum technologies, signed a letter of intent on cooperation and development of research-based on them. Representing our University, the document was signed by prof. dr hab. Wiesław Laskowski, Vice-Rector for Scientific Research of the University of Gdańsk, who is also a quantum physicist.

The cooperation between scientific centres will aim to establish an organisational structure for research and development of quantum technologies in Poland. The signatories of the letter also recognise the need for systemic and financial support from state bodies for world-class research in this field conducted in Poland.

Among the scientific units involved in the project were: Warsaw University, University of Gdańsk, Centre for Theoretical Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Jagiellonian University, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Wrocław University of Technology and the Institute of Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

Joint activities of scientific centres will also be open to other national entities conducting research and development work in the field of quantum technologies, in particular those associated with the National Centre for Quantum Informatics at the UG and the National Laboratory of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics at the UMK.

Representatives from all units have been selected to coordinate activities resulting from the letter of intent. Our university will be represented by dr hab. Łukasz Rudnicki, prof. UG, who leads his research group at the International Centre for Theory of Quantum Technologies.

The work on the agreement would not have been started if it were not for the contribution and efforts of the leaders of the three currently largest research projects in the field: prof. dr hab. Konrad Banaszek from UW, prof. dr hab. Marek Żukowski from UG, and prof. dr hab. Marek Kusia from CFT PAN.

- 'The cooperation shows great promise,' - says prof. dr hab. Marek Kuś from CFT PAN, the head of the TEAM NET project. - 'In various centres in Poland, well-known in the world, quantum technologies are developed to various degrees'. Professor Kuś emphasises our participation in the research on the quantum computer, which scientists from all over the world are working on. Its enhanced computational capabilities will find unique applications, allowing procedures to be used to model complex processes. This could prove groundbreaking in fields such as economics, biotechnology or in the design of complex technical structures. Our speciality is explaining the effects of external factors on the operation of a quantum computer.

- 'In Poland, direct research on quantum entanglement and possible applications of quantum paradoxes in practical solutions was initiated in Gdańsk,' - stresses prof. dr hab. Marek Żukowski, director of ICTQT. In his opinion, signing an agreement between our research units is a chance to create a strong organisation on a national scale that will be able to play a large role in quantum physics on a European scale. - 'The concept of building the consortium is an attempt on our part to maintain Poland's unique position in this field,' - he adds. 'It will also be helpful in activities on the national arena and contacts with business circles, increasingly aware of the benefits of the potential of quantum technologies.' - 'Our environment should speak with one voice in the dialogue with state institutions.' - emphasises the professor.

It is worth mentioning that the above mentioned National Centre of Quantum Informatics established by prof. dr hab. Ryszard Horodecki has been operating at UG for 13 years. The Centre plays the role of an important link in both national and international research space. Its current task is to integrate the Polish quantum information environment, as well as to organise conferences and workshops and long-term international scientific programmes.

Ewa Cichocka/Press Office of University of Gdańsk