Hannover Messe: Q.ANT gears up for live demonstration of world’s
first industrial quantum sensors
Sensor measurements harness quantum effects to facilitate novel applications in the chemical, semiconductor and mechanical engineering sectors // Quantum technology can be used to simultaneously measure the size, shape and velocity of microparticles
Stuttgart/Hannover, May 25, 2022 — Visitors to Hannover Messe will be treated to live demonstrations of the world’s first industrial-grade quantum sensors by Stuttgart-based start-up Q.ANT, a wholly owned subsidiary of high-tech company TRUMPF. The company will be showcasing particle sensors that are able to measure particles in gases, liquids and powders in ways that cannot be accomplished using current measuring technology. At the technological heart of these sensors are quantum effects in excited light. Generated in targeted ways, these effects can be harnessed to analyze the size, shape and velocity of microparticles in one and the same measurement. In turn, these measurements make it possible to acquire information that will facilitate new applications in the semiconductor, chemical and mechanical engineering industries. A number of companies from these sectors are already putting Q.ANT quantum sensors to the test. At Hannover Messe, Q.ANT will enable visitors to experience two industrial quantum-sensor applications in action for the very first time:
Measuring coffee powder for a food company (Hall 2, Booth A22)
In collaboration with sensor specialist SICK, Q.ANT will be showcasing a quantum sensor that food manufacturers can use to check the quality of coffee. The sensor measures the size and shape of the grain, which is a key factor in determining how each particular coffee will taste. In order to achieve the desired level of quality, the quantum sensor allows coffee producers to continuously monitor the grains during the industrial grinding process. Working together with a major food manufacturer, it has already been possible to make powder measurements. SICK now intends to distribute the sensor worldwide, paving the way for other future applications in the food sector, particularly in the powder processing industry.
Measuring biomass in Festo’s algae reactor (Hall 6)
The control and automation specialist Festo will also be showcasing an application that uses the Q.ANT quantum sensor at Hannover Messe. Festo uses the sensor to obtain precise, real-time information about the growth of organisms inside the reactor. To provide this information, algae are conveyed to the sensor automatically and continuously through special microfluidic components made by Festo, such as pumps that can handle extremely small quantities of liquids with outstanding precision. The quantum sensor is able to optically analyze individual cells in order to precisely determine the amount of biomass. It also checks the cells’ vitality with the help of artificial intelligence. The quantum sensor makes it possible to respond proactively to process events and take steps to regulate them in order to promote faster algae growth.
Algae have an extremely high photosynthetic efficiency in their natural environment, binding ten times more carbon dioxide (CO2) than land plants. When algae are grown in bioreactors equipped with appropriate sensors, control technology and automation, this efficiency can be increased even further, reaching a hundredfold that of land plants. The substances created in this process can be used as raw materials for pharmaceuticals, packaging and cosmetics and, ultimately, recycled in ways that create a climate-neutral system.
Q.ANT: a leader in the field of quantum computer chips
Q.ANT is one of Germany’s leading companies in the field of quantum- technology-based industrial products. Only a few months have passed since the Stuttgart-based start-up presented its novel photonic chip process. Within the space of the next few years, this new process will allow today’s established electronic mainframe computers to be equipped with cutting-edge quantum- technology processors.
In March 2022, Q.ANT took the helm of a consortium that has the task of building a demonstration and test system for photonic quantum-computer chips. The consortium has an initial budget of 50 million euros, some 42 million euros of which will come from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
About TRUMPF
TRUMPF is a high-tech company offering manufacturing solutions in the fields of machine tools and laser technology. The Company drives digital connectivity in the manufacturing through consulting, platform products and software. TRUMPF is a technology and market leader in highly versatile machine tools for sheet metal processing and in the field of industrial lasers.
In 2020/21, the company employed some 14,800 people and generated sales of about 3.5 billion euros. With over 80 subsidiaries, the TRUMPF Group is represented in nearly every European country as well as in North America, South America and Asia. The company has production facilities in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic, the United States, Mexico and China.
Find out more about TRUMPF at http://www.trumpf.de.
About Q.ANT
Founded in 2018, Q.ANT is a high-tech startup and part of the TRUMPF Group. Q.ANT’s vision is to improve the quality of how machines analyze their environment, how humans process information, and how we think. To achieve this goal, Q.ANT develops quantum sensors and quantum computing chips based on its Quantum Photonic Framework.
Q.ANT and Festo agree strategic partnership
Automation technology facilitates large-scale biomass cultivation using artificial photosynthesis // Quantum sensor provides information on algae growth // Prototype with quantum technology to be presented at Hannover Messe 2022
Esslingen/Stuttgart/Ditzingen, May 22, 2022 – Festo and Q.ANT, a wholly owned subsidiary of TRUMPF, are entering into a strategic partnership to cultivate biomass on an industrial scale. The two companies aim to achieve this using a combination of automation technology from Festo and quantum technology from Q.ANT. Algae offers significant potential in this context.
Algae are tiny climate-change fighters
Algae have an extremely high photosynthetic efficiency in their natural environment, binding ten times more carbon dioxide (CO2) than land plants. When algae are grown in bioreactors equipped with appropriate sensors, control technology and automation, this efficiency can be increased even further, reaching a hundredfold that of land plants. The substances created in this process can be used as raw materials for pharmaceuticals, packaging and cosmetics and, ultimately, recycled in ways that create a climate-neutral system. This gives algae considerable potential to drive the circular economy.
“We aim to make a decisive contribution toward improving quality of life for both current and future generations. Our automation technology and expertise in control engineering make us the perfect partner for large-scale biomass cultivation,” says Prof. Volker Nestle, Head of LifeTech Product Development at Festo. “Our goal is to develop materials that will be easier to compost in the future. This opens up a whole new chapter in our Bionic Learning Network.”
Festo prototype at Hannover Messe
One of the biggest challenges lies in accurately determining the amount of biomass. To do this, Festo relies on quantum sensor technology from Q.ANT. “Our quantum-based particle sensors open the door to new processes, applications and industrial products. Using this technology for industrial photosynthesis is a great way to demonstrate how much potential it offers for the future,” says Dr. Michael Förtsch, CEO of Q.ANT. A prototype of a system with quantum technology will be presented at Hannover Messe 2022.
Quantum sensor enables cell measurements
The Q.ANT sensor provides precise, real-time information on the organisms’ growth. To obtain this information, algae are conveyed to the sensor automatically and continuously through special microfluidic components made by Festo, such as pumps that can handle extremely small quantities of liquids with outstanding precision. The quantum sensor is able to optically analyze individual cells in order to precisely determine the amount of biomass. It also checks the cells’ vitality with the help of artificial intelligence. Only then is it possible to respond proactively to process events and take steps to regulate them.
About Festo
Festo is an independent family-owned company headquartered in Esslingen am Neckar. It is also a global player that has been setting standards in industrial automation technology and technical training ever since it was founded, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the environment, economy and society. Festo supplies pneumatic and electric automation technology to 300,000 customers that use factory and process automation in over 35 different industries. Its LifeTech division, which offers solutions for medical technology and laboratory automation, is becoming an increasingly important part of its business. Festo’s products and services are available in 176 countries around the world. Employing some 20,000 people at over 250 branch offices in 61 countries, the company generated sales of around 2.84 billion euros in 2020. Each year, it invests approximately 8 percent of its turnover in research and development. As a learning company, it also invests 1.5 percent of its turnover in training and development programs. Festo Didactic SE is a leading provider of technical education and training. It provides customers worldwide with comprehensive digital and in-person learning solutions in industrial settings.
More information is available on Festo’s website at http://www.festo.de.
About TRUMPF
TRUMPF is a high-tech company offering manufacturing solutions in the fields of machine tools and laser technology. The Company drives digital connectivity in the manufacturing through consulting, platform products and software. TRUMPF is a technology and market leader in highly versatile machine tools for sheet metal processing and in the field of industrial lasers.
In 2020/21, the company employed some 14,800 people and generated sales of about 3.5 billion euros. With over 80 subsidiaries, the TRUMPF Group is represented in nearly every European country as well as in North America, South America and Asia. The company has production facilities in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, the Czech Republic, the United States, Mexico and China.
Find out more about TRUMPF at http://www.trumpf.de.
About Q.ANT
Founded in 2018, Q.ANT is a high-tech startup and part of the TRUMPF Group. Q.ANT’s vision is to improve the quality of how machines analyze their environment, how humans process information, and how we think. To achieve this goal, Q.ANT develops quantum sensors and quantum computing chips based on its Quantum Photonic Framework.
For an espresso in Hannover…
We are happy to invite you to a very special espresso at our stand in Hall 2 / Stand A22 at the Hannover Messe. The special feature of our espresso is the quality testing of the coffee powder: Together with the sensor specialist SICK, we present the world’s first quantum sensor for industrial applications that can be used to test the quality of coffee. The sensor measures the grain size, which plays a decisive role in the different flavours of coffee. With the help of the quantum sensor, coffee manufacturers can continuously check the grain size when grinding the coffee to achieve the desired quality result. The sensor is also ideal for other applications in the food industry, and also especially in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
With the slogan “Let’s create the Industry of Tomorrow”, the world’s largest industrial trade fair sees itself as the Home of Industrial Pioneers. HMI, which will take place from 30 May to 02 June 2022, is the leading knowledge and networking platform for the manufacturing industry, the energy sector and logistics. From AI and robotics to automation, logistics IT and industrial software to batteries and fuel cells.
For this environment, we as Q.ANT present our solutions on quantum sensor technology with photonic quantum technology. Our particle sensors are the first to be developed to market maturity based on this technology and open up new applications for the chemical, food, biotech, material and pharmaceutical industries. We look forward to your visit!
Q.ANT auf der Laser World of Photonics in München
From 26–29 April 2022, Laser World of Photonics, the world’s leading trade fair for photonics components, systems and applications, will open its doors. The international photonics industry will meet at the exhibition centre in Munich, including Q.ANT. We will present our approaches and solutions for quantum sensors and quantum computing with photonic quantum technology at the booth A4.121 on the World of Quantum platform. The combination of photonics and quantum technology in our Quantum Photonic Framework enables the realisation of new products in the field of quantum sensors such as particle sensors, magnetometers or atomic gyroscopes as well as quantum computing. This transfers quantum technology to use in industrial applications. We look forward to your visit!
More information on the fair at world-of-photonics.com
PhoQuant
Today, we are very proud to announce: we at Q.ANT will coordinate PhoQuant, a 50 Million Euro project, funded by the BMBF.
Together with our partners we have one goal: build a photonics quantum computer, made in Germany, addressable worldwide via cloud services.
PhoQuant focuses on the development of Photonic Quantum Computing Chips, Control components, Testing infrastructure, software and novel algorithms. PhoQuant is the melting pot where many years of experience in the field of cutting-edge research and industrial engineering come together to drive Quantum Technology to industry. We are very excited to be part of this project.
Q.ANT GmbH
Fraunhofer IOF
Universität Paderborn
University of Heidelberg
Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena
Universität Ulm
HQS Quantum Simulations
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Swabian Instruments
Tem Messtechnik GmbH
Fraunhofer IPMS
ficonTEC Service GmbH
Freie Universität Berlin
Menlo Systems
TRUMPF
#QANT #QuantumComputing #Quantumtechnology #Innovation #TRUMPF
Q.ANT goes Quantum Computing
Today was a very important day for us. We announced that we will enter Quantum Computing.
After three years of development, we succeeded to realize highly efficient light channels on silicon, the workhorse of the semicon industry. With this technology we will be able to generate, transport and manipulate qubits very efficiently.
Our goal is to develop a fully functional quantum chip in five years that will support today’s computers.
#QANT, #Quantumcomputing, #Quantumtechnology, #TRUMPF
Optical waveguides by Q.ANT are now available.
Individually customized for your application.
Waveguides are the central building block of optical data processing. In addition to applications in telecommunication, this technology is at the heart of a wide range of quantum technology applications, from quantum sensing and quantum communication to quantum computing.
Customized waveguides enable the control of light and quantum effects in a highly integrated form. That’s why they are considered the central building block for bringing quantum technologies out of the labs and into everyday products.
Q.ANT Waveguide offer a wide range of features
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Lithium Niobate (LiNbO3) Waveguides (with and without Magnesium-Doping)
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Lithium Niobate directly bonded on Isolator (LNoI on semiconductor material SiO2 and Si)
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End facets in optical quality
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Large optical transmission window
- High optical damage threshold
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Customizable periodic poling
Technical details (Status quo)
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Transmission range: 0.4 µm — 5 µm
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Low propagation losses (< 0.3 dB/cm @ 1550 nm)
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Variable waveguide width: > 6µm
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Trapezoidal cross section
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Poling periods > 6µm
Technical specifications
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Suitable for wavelengths from the visible to the infrared range
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Trapezoidal cross section
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Non-linearity and modulation capability due to lithium niobate and MgO-doping
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Improved efficiency of non-linear processes through periodic poling
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High power stability in large spectral range (0.4 µm < λ < 5 µm) due to MgO-doping
- Good long-term stability because of LNoI
Increasing the efficiency of non-linear processes through periodic poling
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Exclusively in high performance material
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Individual adjustment for largest frequency spectrum
(0.4µm < λ < 5µm):
poling of smaller periods (6µm) for visible range and smaller periods are in preparation (< 6µm)
Q.ANT Waveguide for your application
We are very excited to offer you our nonlinear waveguides. Due to controlling the complete process chain, our waveguides can be offered in various configurations — customizable poling periods, customizable waveguide shapes and many more features.
What’s next
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Narrower waveguide widths
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Finer poling periods
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Optical coupler structures
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Integrated phase shifting devices
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Bonding to other substrate materials
Do you have questions?
Feel free to contact us! We are looking forward to support you.