Quantum mechanics produced an enormous technological revolution by providing the scientific basis for microelectronics in the 20th century. We can safely say that much of the nowadays world economy depends intrinsically on the progress made in this area. Advances in miniaturization techniques, in recent years, have provided the control of individual quantum systems, consisting of a few atoms, molecules or photons. This is the scenario where the so-called quantum technologies have been developed. They exploit the fundamental principles of quantum physics and promise disruptive changes in technological paradigms. This unique historical situation has been called the second quantum revolution, in which non-classical effects (such as superposition, matter interference, entanglement, nonlocality, etc.) play a key role in achieving advantages such as efficiency and security in communication protocols (quantum communication), information processing (quantum computing) or even precision in ultra-sensitive sensors (quantum metrology) when compared to their classic (conventional) analogues.
The development of quantum technologies is of vital and strategic importance for any nation. Great investments are being made, around the world, with the aim of developing and controlling these new technologies. Pioneering experiments in the area of quantum thermodynamics were performed by researchers at UFABC.
These findings have been drawing the attention of the international scientific community and receiving extensive international media coverage [see the list of comments at: https://www.quantumufabc.org/media]. Also noteworthy is the fact that Ph.D. students supervised by members of the proponent group have twice received the CAPES Grand Prize for the best doctoral thesis in the area of Natural Sciences and Engineering (2013 and 2017). This demonstrates the rigor and scientific excellence of the research in this area made in UFABC. For the continuity of this leadership, it is fundamental the interaction with several international research groups.
In this project, we intend to develop experimental and theoretical aspects related to quantum technology in the frontier of knowledge through a great international insertion.
Coordinator: Prof. Dr. Fernando Luis da Silva Semião
E-mail: fernando.semiao@ufabc.edu.br
Coordinator’s Curriculum Lattes (research projects, publications and academic info)
Coordinator’s research grants, scholarships and main publications (FAPESP)