Summer School PQC

Invitation to the Physics of Quantum Chips (PQC 2025) – 30/06- 4/07 2025 – University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland

What is the school about?

Modern technology—and the civilization it supports—has been fundamentally shaped by semiconductor chips. However, it is increasingly clear that the ongoing trend of miniaturization cannot continue indefinitely. One of the key challenges is that, at sufficiently small scales, quantum effects become significant. For several decades, physicists have been exploring this regime. This has led to the emergence and rapid development of a rich field known as mesoscopic physics.

This domain focuses on the design and study of electronic circuits composed of nanoscale elements, where the discreteness of electric charge and the quantum nature of the electromagnetic field are essential. At this scale, it is possible to isolate and manipulate single electrons, and to couple them with individual microwave photons. These specially designed chips—based on components like quantum dots, microwave antennas and Josephson junctions—form the main technologies behind today’s prototype quantum computers.

At the nanometer length scales and millikelvin temperatures required for operating quantum circuits and devices, there are numerous sources of decoherence that can limit the operation fidelity. Therefore, a fine understanding of electromagnetic and charge noise, thermal fluctuations and imbalances, as well as irreversible dynamics of the quantum phase, is critical.

For whom it may be interesting?

This school is intended for participants with a basic understanding of quantum mechanics and quantum solid-state theory. We welcome individuals at all stages of their scientific careers—from Master’s students and PhD candidates to postdocs and established researchers.

Regarding researchers, this school is ideal for:

• Those with a background in theoretical quantum information or quantum thermodynamics who wish to explore how these ideas are physically implemented on solid-state platforms.
• Researchers in material science, curious about the quantum devices created from these materials and how they function.
• Researchers in electronics, interested in pushing the boundaries of their field into the quantum realm.

Our philosophy

The school combines lectures with hands-on exercises. We believe that it’s more valuable to deeply engage with a smaller set of concepts through problem-solving than to superficially cover a broader range of material. That said, participants can also expect an overview of the field’s major achievements and current directions.

Topics Covered

By the end of the school, participants will:

• Understand the physics of the most widely used quantum devices such as quantum-dot and Josephson junctions.
• Understand how superconducting and semiconducting qubits work—what they are, how to manipulate them, measure them, and perform quantum gates.
• Become familiar with Circuit Quantum Electrodynamics (cQED), an area where classical electronics meets the quantum description of the electromagnetic field.
• Understand the importance of thermodynamics in the quantum realm.
• Be acquainted with both theoretical and experimental aspects of phenomena such as:

–  Photocurrents generated by single microwave photons
–  Trapping and manipulating individual superconducting vortices
–  Measuring and mitigating the effect of dissipation and heat in quantum devices

Additionally, participants will gain the specialized vocabulary—both conceptual and visual—needed to read and explore the literature in mesoscopic physics. You’ll learn to interpret the characteristic diagrams and plots used to present experimental data in this field.

The costs

• Conference fee for participant (including lunches): 0 EUR (The registration fee is paid by NAWA)
• Accommodation and travel costs are on the participant. The organizers has no possibility to consider any financial support for participants travel or accommodation. 

Practical information and deadlines

Participants must bring their own laptops.

Deadlines: registration open until May 25th

For more information please visit:
https://klar.ug.edu.pl/summer-school-pqc/