First exhibition on quantum computers opens in Paderborn
The Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum in Paderborn is dedicated to various approaches to building quantum computers and presents "the world's largest qubit".
In the exhibition area "Quantum computers - supercomputers of the next generation", curator Dr. David Woitkowski (left) presents the "world's largest quantum bit" (center).
(Image: Sergei Magel/HNF)
On Saturday, the new exhibition area "Quantum computers – Supercomputers of the next generation" opened at the Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum (HNF). The exhibition was curated by physicist and educator Dr. David Woitkowski. It is the first exhibition on the subject of quantum computers in a German museum. The Paderborn HNF is the largest computer museum in the world and presents the history of 5000 years of information technology from cuneiform writing to artificial intelligence in its permanent exhibition.
"Are we at the dawn of a new information age? Are quantum computers replacing our tried-and-tested digital calculating machines as the new supercomputers?" asks Dr. Jochen Viehoff, Managing Director of the HNF, when introducing the new department. "With this new department, we want to venture a look into the future of computers and present a technology that seems to contradict our previous experience."
The United Nations has declared 2025 the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Various events will take place throughout Germany throughout the year, and the Paderborn activities are part of the German program.
The largest quantum bit in the world
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At the center of the exhibition is the "world's largest quantum bit": two glowing spheres that are intended to introduce visitors to the concepts of superposition and entanglement.
Quantum bits, or qubits for short, are the basic building blocks of quantum computers. They consist of tiny building blocks that obey the rules of quantum physics. The exhibition focuses in particular on the question of what these qubits are made of. Information panels and demonstrators present four different approaches: superconducting qubits, photons, ions and nuclear spins.
(Image:Â Sergei Magel/HNF)
Many of the exhibits come from real research. For example, the exhibition features a "chandelier cryostat" from the JĂĽlich Research Center, in which superconducting qubits are installed. An adjacent screen with touch function clearly visualizes what the various components are used for and where the actual quantum processor is located.
The HNF also presents the experimental setup of a photonic quantum algorithm according to David Deutsch. The aim of this is to use entangled photons, i.e. particles of light, to distinguish a correct coin from a counterfeit coin in just one step.
(Image:Â Sergei Magel/HNF)
One of the ion traps on display once belonged to Nobel Prize winner Wolfgang Paul. A shoebox-sized quantum computer from the Chinese company SpinQ with two qubits will demonstrate small programs. Another exhibit illustrates Lov Grover's quantum search algorithm using a detailed hidden object picture. A news ticker will provide information on the latest developments, such as the breakthrough in effective error correction by a Google research team, which they recently demonstrated using their latest chip "Willow".
After the official opening on Saturday evening, numerous visitors crowded into the exhibition, tried out the exhibits and discussed them with experts on site. Some were excitedly debating which architecture would prevail. For others, the possible areas of application for quantum computers were too short. The exhibition thus successfully introduces laypeople to quantum physics and encourages them to think about it.
Anniversary year Nixdorf100
The opening of the quantum computer area marks the beginning of the Nixdorf100 anniversary year, with which the HNF is celebrating the 100th birthday of Heinz Nixdorf on April 9, 2025. "With the development of the quantum computer, we are on the brink of a new dawn, just as Heinz Nixdorf dared to do in the 1950s to enter the age of electronics and computers," says Viehoff. Over the next twelve months, the HNF will be presenting new exhibition areas, events and various activities.
(Image:Â Sergei Magel/HNF)
Heinz Nixdorf was a German entrepreneur, engineer and pioneer of the computer industry. He founded Nixdorf Computer AG in 1952, which became one of the largest computer companies in Europe under his leadership. Nixdorf was known for his vision of providing powerful and affordable computers for medium-sized companies, which contributed significantly to the digitalization of Germany. He was born in Paderborn in 1925 and died in Hanover in 1986. One of his sons, Martin Nixdorf, became Chairman of the Board of the Heinz Nixdorf Foundation and the Westphalia Foundation.
(spa)
