Conference at the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona: "Quantum Technologies: Potential and State of the Issue"

Next Thursday, March 20, 2025, the academician numerary Lluís Torner i Sabata (from the Physics section, specializing in photonics) will present "Quantum Technologies: Potential and State of the Question."

Quantum Physics was discovered during the early decades of the 20th century. It describes the behavior of the known elementary constituents of the Universe. Some of its concepts have strongly counterintuitive implications from a perspective of everyday life and reality interpretation. Nevertheless, not only have its predictions been repeatedly confirmed by increasingly sophisticated experiments, but also the use of concepts derived from the application of Quantum Physics to matter made possible the immense technological, economic, and social revolution generated from the understanding and use of semiconductor materials, the transistor, and the laser, core of electronics and photonics respectively. All this has provided essential elements for the extraordinary development of computer and communication technologies and ultimately of the digital society that defines current civilization.

The knowledge derived from quantum mechanics has also made advanced imaging and diagnostic devices used in hospitals and photovoltaic solar energy, among other technologies commonly used in the industry.

Currently, thanks to spectacular advances that have taken place in the last two decades, we are able to control the most genuine, profound phenomena of Quantum Physics that pioneers considered unattainable in practice, such as quantum superposition, quantum entanglement, or quantum teleportation.

The exploitation of the associated concepts allows conceptualizing applications that were otherwise impossible. Quantum computing is the paradigmatic example. Fully secure communications, various types of ultrasensitive sensors, ultraprecise metrology, and new material properties are also being explored. The potential of the applications is significant and, if industrialized, would have notable economic implications.

Thus, the main regions and economies of the planet have defined quantum technologies as one of the priority areas for research and development for the coming decades.

Time: 6:45 p.m. Public session with limited attendance to the room's capacity.