3 out of 5 prizes: Tripple-win for Jena

Our doctoral student Marta Gilaberte Basset and student Trevor Vrckovnik from the Institute of Applied Physics (IAP) and researchers from Fraunhofer IOF have been honoured with the prestigious Quantum Future Award. This award was presented by the Federal Ministry of Education, Research and Technology and Space (BMFTR) for outstanding theses in applied quantum technologies. The award ceremony took place during the Quantum Future Award event on 21 November 2025 and honours innovative contributions that significantly advance the field of quantum technologies.

Outstanding research: The future of quantum imaging

As part of her doctoral research, Marta Gilaberte Basset investigated various aspects of quantum imaging with undetected light, for which she received the second doctoral prize of the Quantum Future Award. In her work, she developed a compact quantum imaging technology that can be combined with classical applications such as holography and investigated how system parameters can be optimally adjusted depending on the area of application. The technology allows different wavelengths to be used for illumination and detection – for example, infrared light for medical diagnostics with efficient imaging via visible cameras. This is particularly relevant when examining sensitive samples, as it significantly improves image quality. Mrs Gilaberte Basset sees the Quantum Future Award as an important motivation for young researchers: ‘The award shows that the integration of quantum technologies into our everyday lives is being promoted politically. For me, the award is a great honour and an incentive to push ahead with the transition from the laboratory to practical application.’

Innovation on a chip scale: New avenues for quantum light sources

Trevor Vrckovnik won not only the audience award but also second prize in the master's thesis category. In his thesis, he focused on the development of integrated quantum optical light sources.  He created a simulation tool that can be used to predict quantum effects in simple waveguide structures and, for the first time, presented designs that reliably and easily generate polarisation-entangled photons in straight waveguides. The resulting structures are particularly compact and cost-effective, enabling smaller and more affordable quantum sources for the future widespread use of quantum technologies. Trevor Vrckovnik emphasises that the award confirms the value of his work: ‘For me, the Quantum Future Award is confirmation that our research contributes to socially relevant quantum technologies. The honour motivates me to explore new frontiers in integrated quantum technology.’

Relevance for the IAP and Jena as a centre of innovation

The recognition by the Quantum Future Award underscores the expertise and commitment of the IAP and Fraunhofer IOF in current key areas of quantum research. The award-winning work shows how young researchers here are advancing the combination of basic research and application orientation in quantum technologies. It remains exciting to see when the honoured research work will finally find its way into socially useful applications.