People,

prizes & fun

People

“The highlight is working together.”

When starting at QuTech, Fer Grooteman originally investigated the possibilities to set up a Software Development and Support Team (SDST). The team was founded in 2019.

Fer Grooteman

“The highlight is working together.”

When starting at QuTech, Fer Grooteman originally investigated the possibilities to set up a Software Development and Support Team (SDST). The team was founded in 2019.

“I am part of the Software Development and Support Team at QuTech. I started working for QuTech at the end of 2018, carrying out an assignment investigating the need to set up the SDST. Based on the findings we started the SDST in 2019 and since then it has grown from one to four people. The results of the SDST are not about personal successes, but about team efforts and successful collaboration with other software engineers throughout the organisation. Being part of this team gives me the fulfilment I am looking for in my job.

Some highlights of 2022 are the delivery of QuTech Cloud; a highly available, managed, and clustered infrastructure solution, and the delivery of a monitoring stack that keeps track of infrastructure and application health. At QuTech, we cannot buy most of our software solutions off the shelf, so we’re creating one-offs with very specific requirements. This is a complex engineering challenge that requires not only software engineers, but colleagues from throughout the organisation.

The importance of high-quality software is growing and growing as we progress. Therefore, in 2023, the SDST will focus on defining ways of working to improve the overall product quality of our software. I really look forward to supporting the software development needed to achieve QuTech’s goals in the years to come.”

“The expertise creates opportunities to implement ideas.”

Christine Satter joined QuTech one year ago and the first thing she noticed about QuTech was the amount of creative energy.

Christine Satter

“The expertise creates opportunities to implement ideas.”

Christine Satter joined QuTech one year ago and the first thing she noticed about QuTech was the amount of creative energy.

“As a Quantum System Engineer, I’m working on the hardware for the Quantum Network Explorer. My main task is to translate knowledge, experience, and proven working methods into system requirements and to build on them to arrive at a robust set up and streamlined process.

The last year, I’ve been mainly focused on building and testing our new quantum internet node. It was great to see how the physics and engineering came together – catching the light from an NV center for the first time was a lot of fun!

In 2023, my goal is to apply lessons learned to build up a good system. There have been some challenges along the way, after all we are working on complex systems. However, with perseverance and colleboration we will find a way forward together. There is a tremendous amount of energy and a place for everyone to participate.

I also hope to strengthen our relationship with the TU Delft, so that we can continue to learn from each other.”

“QuTech is unique in tying everyone to a common vision.”

Tom Dvir has been a post-doctoral researcher in the qubit research division in QuTech for the last three and a half years.

Tom Dvir

“QuTech is unique in tying everyone to a common vision.”

Tom Dvir has been a post-doctoral researcher in the qubit research division in QuTech for the last three and a half years.

“I’m driven by curiosity, and the research in our lab, which is at the forefront of our field, allows us to explore new phenomena in innovative ways. For example, in our department, we are currently focused on creating unique quantum states called Majorana states. In 2022 we formed a version of these states using quantum dots and superconductors – our results got some great attention from the scientific community!

In 2023 I have two goals. The first is to push the research of Majorana states forward. My second ambition is to enlarge the community of people involved in the research to include researchers from other institutions and countries. My dream would be to create an international body of researchers. Working together, we could attempt to solve the challenges to realizing fault tolerant Majorana qubits.

The researchers would find a very welcoming atmosphere here at QuTech. It’s very friendly and supportive, with an emphasis on collaboration. QuTech is unique in the way it brings everyone together. Whether it’s students, technicians, managers, or secretaries, everyone here shares a common vision. The result is a fun and productive research environment.”

The annual QuTech Uitje was a great success

In the weekend of 14-16 October 2022, we all made an amazing journey to Arnhem together to enjoy Uitje 2022. The weekend was full of activities and adventures: we saved the quantization and the planet from an alien invasion (and hopefully learned something about Dutch geography, astronomy, and scientists). The pouring rain surely brought us closer together as heroic treasure hunters. After that we all had a great opportunity to show off our singing skills during karaoke.

The next day we all expressed our inner child at a graffiti workshop. Sometimes all we need for happiness is some paint and a wall to draw on! These outstanding artsy masterpieces were brought back to Delft so we are able to appreciate them in our offices. After that we released some energy through physical activity: either through spiritual tai chi, passionate flamenco, or even fierce boxing.

The last day were dedicated to history lessons. We visited an open-air museum that recreates the Dutch way of life. It was indeed very informative and a rare experience. The overall weekend was astonishing! We have nothing but warm and happy memories about it.

Prizes

Director Lieven Vandersypen elected Fellow of the American Physical Society

QuTech’s Director Research Lieven Vandersypen was selected to be an American Physical Society (APS) Fellow. Less than half a percent of all members of the Society are nominated each year. Being a fellow is a prestigious recognition by peers for outstanding contributions to physics. Read more

Stephanie Wehner elected member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences

On 12 September 2022, the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) installed 22 newly elected members, including QuTech professor Stephanie Wehner. Academy members, leading researchers from across all the disciplines, are selected for their scientific and scholarly achievements. Other QuTech members elected previously to KNAW include Ronald Hanson, Barbara Terhal, Leo Kouwenhoven, and Hans Mooij. Members are appointed for life. Read more

Lieven Vandersypen joined a lunch with King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima at Noordeinde Palace

The monarchs wanted to express their appreciation to so-called ‘uitblinkers’ (high achievers): people who have distinguished themselves by a special achievement in various national sectors, such as culture, science, or sports. A total of 27 guests were invited. Vandersypen: “It felt very special to have lunch with the King and Queen and to feel their appreciation. It was also both fun and interesting to meet such a diverse group of people. I am very grateful for the invitation, and it was a pleasure to participate.”

Anne-Marije Zwerver awarded the Minerva Prize by the Netherlands’ Physical Society (NNV)

The Minerva Prize is awarded yearly to young and promising women and non-binary physicists who excel in experimental and/or theoretical physics. The jury was highly impressed by Anne-Marije’s work, both in the field of physics and in the field of outreach, education, and science communication. She spearheaded measurements of the first quantum dot qubits made in an industry cleanroom, an achievement that made headlines around the world. She was also the first to shuttle an electron spin across multiple silicon quantum dots. Read more

“There really is a work hard, play hard culture.”

Anne-Marije Zwerver is a postdoctoral researcher at QuTech in the group of Lieven Vandersypen.

Anne Marije Zwerver

“There really is a work hard, play hard culture.”

Anne-Marije Zwerver is a postdoctoral researcher at QuTech in the group of Lieven Vandersypen.

“My work at QuTech is driven by curiosity, the environment, the people, the science. Moreover, it’s driven my fascination for the counterintuitive concepts of quantum mechanics.

2022 was a very good year for me, with a lot of highlights. For sure, one of these was defending my PhD last May. Another highlight was wrapping up of the first part of the experiment that I would do for my PhD; shuttling an electron over an array of quantum dots. It was the first time that I felt completely independent as a researcher, which was a very good feeling.

Then there was the paper on the collaboration with Intel that was published; the crown of almost four years of work. The paper was very well-received, both in the physics community and by (inter)national media. Even some newspapers picked it up and I went to national radio to explain our work. That was surreal, but very exciting. And, of course, winning the Minerva prize was also an important moment!

My personal goal for this year is to safely give birth to my baby. After this, I’ll need to spend some time away from work. However, I’m sure diving into the world of parenting will help me develop new skills that will come in handy at QuTech.

I’m also going to be launching a quantum-related start-up when I return from leave. This promises to be a big adventure! I’m looking forward to it all.”

04/02/2024 12:38:19