The Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) is the National Metrology Institute in Germany and responsible for the realization and dissemination of the SI units, as well as basic metrology research for society and for industry. Pushing precision metrology to its limits usually requires quantum technology. PTB offers extensive resources and infrastructure for a large scope of precision measurements. In 2017 the German Science Council (Wissenschaftsrat) reviewed PTB and confirmed its excellent performance of its tasks and its great economic relevance. The council noted the “impressive achievements” in the core areas of metrological research for time and frequency, quantum metrology, terahertz metrology and the re-determination of SI units based on quantum standards. PTB’s research on these topics, benefits greatly from collaboration with the local university partners LUH and TUBS as it fosters the exploration of new fundamental ideas that will influence future metrology applications, and in particular in the field of quantum technologies. PTB’s commitment to a long-term strategic research agenda enables the retention of critical know-how within the consortium and helps to perpetuate the activities beyond the runtime of individual projects. In 2019 the PTB founded the Quantum Technology Competence Centre (QTZ), which supports industrial developments in the field of quantum technologies. The QTZ coordinates dedicated user-facilities for the testing of emerging quantum technologies, e.g. quantum electronics devices and ion traps and therefore will play a particularly important role in the QVLS initiative and the QVLS e.V.
Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
