Quantum technologies will drive profound social and economic developments in the 21st century. The first prototypes of a quantum computer are already being tested in the Hannover-Braunschweig region and are being further developed at a rapid pace. By 2025, the first quantum computer in the country will be put into operation in close cooperation between research and industry. As part of a laboratory tour with Lower Saxony’s Minister President Stephan Weil, the QVLS provided an insight into the current state of the art and initial applications.
Leading research institutions, companies and the state of Lower Saxony had joined forces in October 2020 to form the Quantum Valley Lower Saxony (QVLS) alliance to pool the expertise of more than 400 scientists in the participating institutions. In addition to the projects and investments of more than 220 million euros in recent years, the state of Lower Saxony and the VolkswagenStiftung provided the initiative with 25 million euros in December 2020 as core funding for the construction of a quantum computer. This sum is to be multiplied as part of the federal tenders currently underway and will further accelerate technological development.
