EU-Project aiming at structuring and co-ordinating Europe’s „Quantum-Landscape“ initiated by the Austrian Research Centre Seibersdorf to start this month.

Vienna, February 16 2005. Europe’s scientists in the field of Quantum Information and Quantum Technology are amongst the world leading groups. To stay competitive on an international level, common strategies of both funding and policy are necessary.

The Project “ERA-Pilot QIST” (Structuring the European Research Area within Quantum Information Science and Technology) aims at structuring the rather young scientific area of “Quantum Information Science and Technology (QIST)” within Europe.

Topics covered by these key words are for example quantum cryptography, quantum teleportation, quantum computer and their potential industrial applications. As results of the project a map of European activities and excellences will be developed as well as a guideline for strategic decisions and a common vision for the future of QIST in Europe.

Networking and Co-ordination of national research programmes
The Project „ERA-Pilot QIST“ is part of the ERA-NET scheme by the European Union
that provides support for the transnational networking and coordination of national
research programmes.

The project is managed by its co-ordinator, the business unit Quantum Technologies at ARC Seibersdorf research GmbH. It has a duration of two years. The EU supports this effort with 850.000 Euro.

Within the framework of the project we will contribute to the development of a European QIST-roadmap that shall show the way to achieve the leading position in QIST-research and industry for Europe” says Dr. Christian Monyk, head of the business unit Quantum Technologies at ARC Seibersdorf research GmbH and also co-ordinator of the project.

15 Participants from 10 Europeann Countries
A total of 15 participants from 10 European countries (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Slovakia and United Kingdom) are involved in the project, forming the “steering group”.Thus the ERA-Pilot QIST addresses European national policy and funding organisations as well as the European Commission.

Contact details:
Mag.a Julia Petschinka – Project Coordination and Public Relations
ARC Seibersdorf research GmbH – Quantum Technologies
Phone: +43 (0)664 825 10 64
email: julia.petschinka@arcs.ac.at :: webpage: www.quantenkryptographie.at/QIST