Quantum technology
The technology based on the laws of quantum mechanics, which govern physics on an atomic scale, will lead to a wave of new technologies that will create many new businesses and help solve many of today’s global challenges. Over the last century, humankind has mastered the underlying quantum physics. Now, previously untapped aspects of quantum theory are ready to be used as a resource in technologies with far-reaching applications, including secure communication networks, sensitive sensors for biomedical imaging and fundamentally new paradigms of computation. Quantum technologies offer revolutionary improvements in terms of capacity, sensitivity and speed, and will be the decisive factor for success in many industries and markets. However, before commercialization it is necessary to build the foundation through the basic and applied research that will provide to the society key ideas how to build safer, faster, more sensitive and smarter devices, products and protocols.
CALT aims to join European quantum technology community by attacking the topics of quantum clocks and quantum simulators and sensors. The first South Eastern Europe quantum clock based on cold strontium atoms will be developed. Strontium atomic clock is the most accurate clock of our time which sets new world records for both precision and stability. Quantum simulators and sensors in CALT will be devoted to the investigation of quantum degenerate strontium systems, which depending on strontium isotope can lead to Bose-Einstein condensates (BEC) or degenerate Fermi mixtures and will enable the simulation of strongly correlated many body systems. Last but not least, in CALT National laboratory for time and frequency will be established. This action is coordinated and supported by the Croatian Metrology Institute with the broad mission to provide official Croatian time and related quantities to support a wide range of uses in industry, national infrastructure, research, and among the general public.