One Year into QuanTour: Reflections on a Traveling Quantum Light Source

How do you measure the success of an outreach project? When we launched QuanTour just over a year ago, we didn’t really know what to expect.

Our idea of QuanTour started with a simple, playful concept: what if a quantum emitter (an artificial atom made out of semiconductor material capable of emitting one photon at a time) could travel across Europe, visiting research labs in a kind of relay race, announcing the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology like an Olympic torch? We packed a real quantum light source — a single-photon emitter — into a custom-built suitcase and sent it on tour. The goal wasn’t just to showcase quantum technology and offer a look behind the scenes, but to connect people and to highlight the diversity of scientists, from students to professors. From the very beginning, we had one audience especially in mind: young people between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five. Not with hard educational content or dense physics explanations, but through a light, fun concept that sparks curiosity. By showcasing scientists in an authentic way, we aimed to make science tangible and approachable.

How our quantum light source fascinated people around the world

Credit: The Science Talk.

A year later, we find ourselves overwhelmed by the project’s rapid development. Across digital platforms, QuanTour content has reached over one million views, far more than we had imagined. To put that into perspective, a research paper might receive 30 citations per year, while a conference talk might reach 200 people. QuanTour, by contrast, reached homes, labs, newspapers, podcasts, and people, finding a presence in places that traditional academic outputs rarely reach.

While these are just numbers, it’s the stories surrounding the quantum emitter that are truly memorable. The open lab days organized by researchers at QuanTour stops welcomed both young and old. The newspaper clippings proudly passed around among families who saw their children and grandchildren featured in the media. The regional news outlets that celebrated their role in a European-wide initiative, not only in English but in the many languages spoken across Europe. The unexpected scientific exchanges between labs that hadn’t worked together before. These encounters, often spontaneous and personal, remind us that quantum science is not just about abstract theory or precision measurement. It is about human connection, about curiosity, and about the shared joy of discovery.

Key ingredients and lessons learned

Looking back, we also learned a lot about what makes outreach successful. One key ingredient was choosing the right partners. Since the task force of the German Physical Society (DPG) was founded three years before the start of the Quantum Year, we became part of the team and refined our idea. The German Physical Society played a vital role, not only by supporting us financially—with generous funding from the Wilhelm and Else Heraeus Foundation – and administratively, but also by helping to spread the word. Another important aspect is that we teamed up with science communication expert Dr. Pranoti Kshirsagar from The Science Talk. She taught us how to build sustainable communication strategies, how to identify a target audience, how to make our content visible, and how to overcome our initial hesitation with digital platforms. She also hosted a twelve-episode podcast series featuring interviews with the scientists behind QuanTour. These episodes became much more than outreach content. They evolved into a kind of lecture series on quantum science, accessible to everyone.

Another lesson we took to heart is that outreach, just like research, thrives through collaboration. Partnering with established institutions and strong communicators can amplify ideas and make them visible to entirely new audiences. Involving the community directly is just as essential. When we announced a challenge to bring QuanTour to Türkiye, the response was immediate and enthusiastic. When it finally arrived, the celebration at the Izmir Quantum Days was unforgettable. Students asked thought-provoking questions, researchers welcomed them with enthusiasm, and the atmosphere was electric from start to finish.

Now, while the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology is in full swing, the journey of the quantum light source continues. We are already planning the next chapters of QuanTour, with new stops, new stories, and new encounters that bring quantum science into conversation with the wider world. Outreach does not end when the suitcase closes. It evolves, just like science itself.

Cheers to the little quantum emitter and to all those who have contributed to turning an idea into a movement.

Authors: Doris Reiter (TU Dortmund) and Tobias Heindel (TU Berlin), Members of the DPG Quantum Taskforce

Contact QuanTour: quantour2025@gmail.com

Contact DPG: pr@dpg-physik.de

Featured image: Fabrizio Mercoli

International Conference on Quantum Technologies in the Life Sciences (qLIFE)

Join us for qLIFE 2025, the first international conference dedicated to exploring the transformative role of quantum technologies in the life sciences. From quantum sensing and imaging to computing and simulation, this event brings together global leaders from physics, biotechnology, and medicine to examine how quantum innovation is reshaping health, sustainability, and the biosciences.

Why attend?

  • Talks from global leaders in academia and industry, including IBM, Google, Stanford, Novo Nordisk, and more
  • Discover cutting-edge applications of quantum tech in medicine and the life sciences
  • Connect with a cross-disciplinary community shaping the future of science

Presented by

  • The ARC Centre of Excellence in Quantum Biotechnology
  • Q-BioMed, UK
  • Ulm University Centre of Quantum BioScience
  • University of Chicago NSF QuBBE

Visit https://quantum.bio/ to learn more, register, and submit a poster.

International Workshop on Quantum Technologies-2025 (IWQT-2025)

This workshop will serve as a dynamic forum for the exchange of knowledge, the encouragement of interdisciplinary collaboration, and the advancement of cutting-edge verticals within quantum technologies, including quantum computation, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology, quantum materials, modern spectroscopy, and quantum-enhanced interferometry for gravitational and precision measurements.

Key themes to be explored at IWQT-2025 include:

  • Quantum Computation
  • Quantum Communication
  • Quantum Sensing and Metrology
  • Quantum Materials
  • Modern Spectroscopy
  • Gravitational Wave Astronomy

The workshop will feature keynote addresses and tutorials by world-renowned quantum physicists, along with technical sessions showcasing the latest advancements and experimental breakthroughs. Special sessions will be dedicated to oral and poster competitions, providing a platform for emerging researchers to present their work and gain valuable feedback.

Opportunities for interdisciplinary networking and collaborative engagement will be central to IWQT-2025, supporting the formation of new partnerships and the nurturing of next-generation quantum technologies.

By bridging expertise across academia, industry, and policy, IWQT-2025 aims to accelerate the journey from quantum principles to real-world applications—inspiring the innovations that will define the future.

100 Anos da Mecânica Quântica

 A commemorative event of the 100th anniversary of quantum mechanics was organized at the Physics Institute of the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. A series of colloquia and mini-courses at the student-level, combined with a night event, Pint-of-Science-like, for the general public. No fees, but entrance is limited by the size of the corresponding places.

The 2025 IYQ Quantum Connect Webinar Series

The American Physical Society presents the Quantum Connect Webinar Series in partnership with the Johns Hopkins Science Diplomacy Hub.

Quantum Technology in National Security examines the role of quantum technologies in national defense, including quantum radar, secure communications, and advanced sensing.

Swiss Quantum Week 2025

To mark the 100th anniversary of quantum science and technology, UNESCO has declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. As part of this global celebration, members of Swiss academic institutions, the Swiss quantum industry, and science diplomacy and policymaking have come together to launch the Swiss Quantum Week.
Driven by a mission to connect the diverse stakeholders and users of quantum science and technology—from ecosystem builders and policymakers to researchers, students, and entrepreneurs—Swiss Quantum Week builds on the strengths of established, well-attended events such as QIDiS and the GESDA Summit to create a cohesive platform that includes:

• Swissnex Quantum Summit
• Quantum Industry Day in Switzerland
• The annual GESDA Summit
• Open Quantum Institute in-person gathering
• QAI Quantum Hackathon
• A Quantum Outreach Day for families and the general public

Each event is designed for a specific audience, while encouraging cross-sector dialogue and international collaboration. Swiss Quantum Week aims to broaden perspectives, foster meaningful connections, and strengthen the Swiss and global quantum landscape.

Demystifying Quantum Computing: Theory, Technology, and Real-World Applications

Demystifying Quantum Computing: Theory, Technology, and Real-World Applications is an AICTE Training and Learning (ATAL) Academy Sponsored Faculty Development Program (FDP) fully funded by the Government of India. Organized by Government Mahila Engineering College Ajmer (Rajasthan), this six-day offline FDP (10–15 November 2025) aims to introduce faculty, researchers, and professionals to the theoretical foundations and hands-on applications of quantum computing. The course features sessions on quantum programming, quantum machine learning, quantum error correction, and real-world use cases using platforms like IBM Quantum and Pennylane.

Eminent experts from IITs, NITs, premier R&D institutions, and industry will guide participants through lectures and practical labs. This government-supported initiative reflects India’s commitment to building capacity in emerging quantum technologies and invites cross-sector participation in shaping the future quantum ecosystem.

Quantum Innovation Week

De 30 de julho a 1º de agosto de 2025, o SENAI CIMATEC sediará um evento estratégico voltado para o engajamento de empresas e organizações dos setores de energia (Óleo & Gás), saúde, governo e defesa, telecomunicações, finanças e tecnologia. O foco será o debate qualificado sobre os riscos atuais e futuros relacionados à segurança da informação — em especial, no contexto de falhas e ataques cibernéticos cada vez mais sofisticados.

A programação contará com a presença do roadshow da EMBRAPII, que apresentará a Rede de Centros de Competência em Tecnologias Quânticas, destacando as atuações dos nove centros que a compõem, com ênfase especial no QuIIN. A iniciativa tem como objetivo ampliar conexões estratégicas, atrair novas empresas parceiras e captar recursos para projetos de Pesquisa, Desenvolvimento e Inovação (PDI), por meio do Programa Prioritário em Informática (PPI).

Serão compartilhadas reflexões e soluções inovadoras voltadas à proteção de dados sensíveis, com destaque para o papel das tecnologias quânticas na mitigação de riscos e fortalecimento da cibersegurança em setores críticos.

Data: 30/07/2025 a 01/08/2025
Horário: 9h às 12h | 14h às 17h
Local: SENAI CIMATEC – Centro de Eventos

Monday Seminar – 100 Years of Quantum

Celebrating the UNESCO-declared International Year of Quantum Science and Technology in 2025, the Department of Physics at Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) proudly presents the 23rd annual Monday Physics Seminar, the longest-running weekly seminar series in Indonesia, featuring the special theme “100 Years of Quantum: Tracing the Historical Footsteps and Embracing Future Quantum Technology Breakthroughs.” This event, held on June 16, 2025, at the ITS Physics Department, brings together leading Indonesian experts in quantum science to explore the evolution, achievements, and future directions of quantum research, with a focus on entanglement, quantum teleportation, quantum heat engines, quantum optics, and solid-state quantum systems, and many more.

International Dialogue on Quantum Legal Frontiers 2025

The Quantum Leap and the Legal Imperative


The world stands on the cusp of a second quantum revolution. Advances in quantum science and technology, particularly in quantum computing, promise unprecedented computational power capable of tackling problems currently intractable for even the most powerful supercomputers. From accelerating drug discovery and material science to revolutionizing financial modeling and artificial intelligence, the potential applications are vast and transformative.


Recognizing the profound significance of this field, the United Nations has proclaimed 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. This global acknowledgment underscores the importance of raising public awareness, promoting international cooperation, and exploring the impact of quantum advancements across all sectors of society.


As quantum technology progresses from theoretical labs to practical applications, it inevitably intersects with existing legal, regulatory, and ethical frameworks. The unique principles of quantum mechanics challenge traditional notions of data security, intellectual property, privacy, governance, and even fundamental legal concepts. The development and deployment of quantum computing necessitate a proactive and informed approach to law and policy to harness its benefits while mitigating potential risks.

The Need for Legal Frontiers

While the scientific and technological aspects of quantum computing are rapidly evolving, the legal and policy discourse is still in its nascent stages. Existing laws, designed for a classical digital world, are often ill-equipped to address the complexities introduced by quantum capabilities. Issues such as the existential threat of quantum computers to current encryption methods, the legal status of quantum data, the ethical implications of quantum AI, and the need for international regulatory harmonization demand urgent attention.
“Quantum Legal Frontiers” is conceived as a timely and essential international platform dedicated to exploring these critical issues. It aims to bridge the gap between the quantum science community, legal professionals, policymakers, ethicists, and industry leaders to foster a shared understanding and collaboratively shape the future of law in the quantum era.


Event Objectives

The “Quantum Legal Frontiers” event aims to achieve the following objectives:


• Raise Global Awareness: Educate legal professionals, policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the public about the fundamental concepts of quantum computing and its immediate and long-term implications for law and society.
• Facilitate Interdisciplinary Dialogue: Create a unique hybrid space for experts from quantum science, law, policy, ethics, and industry to engage in constructive discussions on pressing issues.
• Identify and Analyze Legal Challenges: Deep dive into the specific legal, regulatory, and ethical complexities introduced by quantum computing across various domains.
• Explore Policy Responses: Discuss potential legal and policy frameworks, standards, and strategies necessary to govern quantum technologies effectively and responsibly.
• Promote International Collaboration: Highlight the importance of cross-border cooperation in developing harmonized legal approaches to a technology with global impact.
• Build Capacity: Equip attendees with the knowledge and perspectives needed to navigate the evolving landscape of quantum computing and law in their respective fields.
• Contribute to the UN International Year of Quantum Science and Technology: Serve as a significant global event marking the year by focusing on the crucial societal dimension of quantum advancements – its legal implications.


Exploring the Frontiers: Key Themes


The event will feature sessions covering, but not limited to, the following key themes:
• Quantum Cybersecurity and the Law: Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) migration legal mandates, liability for quantum-related data breaches, legal implications of “harvest now, decrypt later” threats, legislative needs for quantum-resistant infrastructure.
• Data Privacy & Protection in the Quantum Age: Re-evaluating data protection laws (like GDPR, CCPA) in light of quantum capabilities, legal challenges to consent and anonymity, protecting sensitive data against quantum attacks.
• Intellectual Property Rights in Quantum Technologies: Patenting quantum algorithms and hardware, trade secret protection for quantum software and techniques, challenges of inventorship and ownership in collaborative quantum research.
• Quantum Computing Regulation & Governance: The need for new national and international regulatory frameworks, export controls and national security implications, international standards for quantum technologies, anticipatory governance approaches.
• Ethical and Societal Implications: Legal and ethical considerations of quantum-enhanced AI (bias, accountability, transparency), potential for misuse (e.g., surveillance), ensuring equitable access and preventing a “quantum divide.”
• Quantum Computing and Cybercrime: Legal definitions of quantum-enabled cyber offenses, challenges for law enforcement and digital forensics, international cooperation in prosecuting quantum cybercrimes.
• Contractual and Liability Issues: Defining terms, reliability, and responsibility in contracts involving quantum computing services or hardware; establishing liability for errors or unintended consequences of quantum computations.
• Geopolitics of Quantum Computing: Legal and policy aspects of the global race for quantum supremacy, international norms, and arms control considerations.
• Sector-Specific Legal Deep Dives: Examining the unique legal impacts in finance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy, and other key industries.


Join us in exploring and shaping the Quantum Legal Frontiers of tomorrow. More in the link