In search of cooperation opportunities in the field of quantum technologies, Riga Technical University (RTU) hosted representatives of the Niels Bohr Institute of the University of Copenhagen and the Embassy of Latvia in Denmark, who met with the university management and got acquainted with the achievements of RTU scientists participating in the Latvian Quantum Initiative and developing a quantum communication infrastructure.
RTU, together with colleagues from the University of Latvia (UL), the Institute of Solid State Physics and the Institute of Mathematics and Informatics of UL, declared its interest in quantum technologies, considered to be a key driver of the 21st century information technology revolution, two years ago by setting up the Latvian Quantum Initiative and committing to create new technological solutions and develop new components for quantum communication systems. Currently, scientists from the Optical Fibre Transmission Systems Laboratory of the Faculty of Computer Science, Information Technology and Energy (FCSITE) at RTU have developed a test model of a quantum communication infrastructure, which they also presented to colleagues from the Niels Bohr Institute.
It is possible that RTU and Danish colleagues could cooperate in joint international projects, as scientists at the Niels Bohr Institute, who are actively working on quantum solutions in both military and civilian fields, are also looking for new international partners and are interested not only in possible joint work in science, but also in the study process, creating joint study programmes. The Institute, founded in 1921 by the eminent Danish physicist Niels Bohr, has traditionally been involved in quantum research, since Niels Bohr himself stimulated new initiatives in quantum mechanics with his research on the structure of the atom at the beginning of the last century.
RTU scientists are tackling the challenge of how to use quantum technology to transmit large amounts of information as reliably as possible today. One solution is to use quantum key transmission in optical communication systems. The idea is to integrate the knowledge gained in the scientific process into the content of studies, and RTU has already created the first training courses in this field, says RTU FCSITE Professor Jurģis Poriņš. He and Andis Supe, a senior researcher at the Institute of Photonics, Electronics and Electronic Communications at RTU FCSITE, showed and talked about what has already been done to the Danish guests.
RTU management - Rector Tālis Juhna and Vice-Rector for Innovations Liene Briede - outlined RTU development directions and excellence initiatives, including the microchip testing centre, where scientists from the Institute of Photonics, Electronics and Electronic Communications are also indirectly involved in quantum technology research.
The guests were also shown RTU's extensive work in international cooperation in science, both through the work of RTU scientists and students at the European Nuclear Research Centre (CERN) and the Baltic Biomaterials Research Project, which develops knowledge in biomaterials synthesis and research.
RTU's efforts to strengthen the research and development (R&D) capacity of Latvian companies through industrial PhD students' projects were also mentioned. The guests were also introduced to the RTU Science and Innovation Centre's support for students in creating new products and promoting entrepreneurship.
