Quantum magic: Opening of the unique exhibition in Göttingen!

Quantum magic: Opening of the unique exhibition in Göttingen!

The Technical University of Ilmenau is preparing for a special event to celebrate the centenary of quantum mechanics. As part of the lecture series “Quants in Ilmenau” on Tuesday, June 24th at 5:15 p.m., Professor Siegfried Stapf will give a lecture entitled “Between quantum echoes and cultivated relaxation: nuclear spins in our everyday life”. The event takes place in the lecture hall of the Faraday Building at Weimarer Straße 32 and admission is free, which appeals to a broad public. TU Ilmenau reports, that the talk will provide a deep insight into the concept of “spin” in quantum mechanics, an abstract property that can only be fully understood through quantum mechanics.

Spin refers to the magnetic moment of particles such as electrons, protons and neutrons, which makes it a measurable quantity. Applications of nuclear spin include chemical spectroscopy and medical diagnostics. This lecture series is part of the global activities in the “International Year of Quantum Science and Quantum Technologies”, launched by the United Nations. The main goal of the Quantum Year is to make the findings of quantum physics and their influence on daily life visible.

Advanced quantum experiences in Göttingen

Accompanying the lecture series, the Knowledge Museum at the University of Göttingen is showing the special exhibition “What the Quant?!”, which is open from March 27th to October 5th, 2025. The exhibition, which is embedded in the international quantum year, focuses on the emergence of quantum mechanics 100 years ago and its effects to the present. Göttingen is considered the birthplace of this important physical theory and the first mathematical description was developed there a century ago. Forum Knowledge reports that the exhibition not only honors the scientific achievements, but also the financial, political and social circumstances that led to this breakthrough.

The interactive experience of the exhibition is complemented by hands-on experiments and a digital city rally by physics students. The rally is offered via the Actionbound app and leads through six stations that are specifically focused on quantum physics.

A variety of events and workshops

The exhibition's accompanying program is narrow but varied: it includes, among other things, lectures on women in the history of quantum mechanics, artistic readings, chalk talks on specific topics in particle physics and public tours. These events are aimed at those interested in physics and students from the 9th grade onwards, although workshops for children and young people are also offered. The exhibition is open daily from Tuesday to Sunday between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

This combination of academic lectures in Ilmenau and interactive experiences in Göttingen reflects the relevance and fascination of quantum mechanics, considered the most successful physical theory, with applications in areas such as lasers, solar cells and quantum computers. The University of Göttingen adds to the discussion about how this theory can shape our world both in the past and in the future.