Summer School Physics of Quantum Chips 2026

Nauka

At the beginning of July, the second edition of the Physics of Quantum Chips (PQChips) Summer School took place, focusing on the physical principles underlying quantum devices and the state-of-the-art technologies used in the development of quantum processors. The program combined theoretical lectures with hands-on practical sessions and poster presentations.

The workshops covered the design and properties of quantum chips based on technologies such as Josephson junctions, single-electron quantum dots, and resonators operating in the few-photon regime. Participants also explored topics including acoustic qubits, precision thermometry at temperatures below 1 K, and the microscopic description of Josephson junctions incorporating Andreev bound states. In addition, hybrid quantum systems combining Josephson junctions with quantum dots were presented as a promising direction for the advancement of quantum technologies.

An important part of the program was devoted to the quantum Hall effect and computational simulations of quantum systems. During the practical sessions, participants were introduced to KWANT, a software package widely used for modeling electron transport and simulating the properties of mesoscopic quantum systems.

PQChips 2026 was held from July 1-8th, 2026. The event was organized by Prof. Michał Horodecki from the International Centre for Theory of Quantum Technologies (ICTQT), with Dr. Hab. Eng. Maciej Zgirski from the Institute of Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences serving as the local co-organizer.

The distinguished group of lecturers included:

Andrew Cleland (Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago)
Landry Bretheau (QCMX Lab, Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics, École Polytechnique)
Dario Ferraro (University of Genoa)
Marcin Łobejko (Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, University of Gdańsk)
Jukka Pekola (PICO, Aalto University)
Jean-Damien Pillet (QCMX Lab, Laboratory of Condensed Matter Physics, École Polytechnique)
Kyrylo Snizhko (CEA Grenoble)
Clemens Winkelmann (Université Grenoble Alpes)

The Summer School was primarily intended for undergraduate and graduate students, PhD candidates, and early-career researchers who already possessed a solid background in quantum mechanics and condensed matter physics and wished to deepen their understanding of modern quantum systems and the technologies used in quantum chips.

More than 70 participants from around the world attended the event. We were delighted to take part in this inspiring initiative, which provided an excellent opportunity for knowledge exchange and for establishing and strengthening international scientific collaborations.

We would like to thank all participants and lecturers for making PQChips 2026 such a success, and we look forward to seeing everyone again at the next edition of the Summer School!

The event was organized as part of the KlaR Gdańsk–Lund Cluster: Quantum Development Potential project, funded through the Strategic Partnerships Programme of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA).