Quantum particles – tiny in size, but with enormous potential. Whether in medicine, communications or IT, quantum technologies are among the most exciting developments of our time.
At phaeno, you can experience how this groundbreaking science works – not just in theory, but in a practical and interactive way!
The phaeno quantum area is part of the regional Quantum Valley Lower Saxony network. Within this cluster, scientists, research institutions and companies are working together to further develop quantum technologies and put them into practice.
How does quantum physics feel when you control it yourself? With Qaboom and Quantum Quest, two interactive games inspired by quantum computing are coming to phaeno, making complex research accessible in a playful way.
At first glance, Qaboom is reminiscent of the classic Tetris principle: qubits fall into the playing field and must be skilfully arranged. But here, it's not just skill that counts, but also understanding. Each colour represents a specific quantum state on an imaginary sphere – from the "North Pole" (white) to the "South Pole" (black), with a variety of superpositions in between. With so-called measurements, qubits collapse into specific states and can be removed. Gates change the states of several qubits simultaneously through targeted rotation. This allows players to experience what quantum computing is all about: superposition, probability and strategic manipulation of states.
Those who want to delve deeper will discover further playful approaches to the world of qubits in Quantum Quest. Both applications clearly show how quantum bits differ from classical bits: they are not just 0 or 1, but can be both at the same time – a property that makes quantum computers so powerful.
These special loans can be experienced at phaeno until the end of April. They combine scientific precision with intuitive gameplay – and invite visitors to try out one of the key technologies of the future for themselves.
If you can't get enough, both games are also available online, allowing you to continue your research from home.
How did quantum physics actually come about? And who or what has changed our view of the universe so fundamentally?
The Quantum History Wall – developed by the German Physical Society – takes you on an exciting journey through the history of quantum physics. The focus here is not primarily on individual geniuses, but on the ideas themselves: experiments, measurements, formulas, diagrams and the moments when everything suddenly changed. You will discover historical instruments, groundbreaking discoveries and the decisive steps that have made our current understanding of the quantum world possible.
Come along, immerse yourself in the history of quantum physics and experience how relevant and fascinating this science still is today in the interactive quantum area.
The Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) also supports and promotes projects at phaeno. Through its research funding, the ministry helps to bring innovative science offerings and forward-looking topics to life for visitors.
How can invisible magnetic fields be made visible? With a diamond. More precisely: with a very special defect in its crystal lattice.
In this new quantum exhibit, you can experience how so-called NV centres (nitrogen vacancy centres) in diamonds act as high-precision quantum sensors. When a green laser hits the diamond, it begins to fluoresce red. If microwave radiation is also applied, the brightness of the red light changes minimally at a very specific frequency. This signal is called optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR).
When a magnet comes close, the energy levels in the NV centre shift. The frequency at which the red glow becomes weaker changes – and it is precisely this shift that allows the strength of the magnetic field to be determined.
This physical principle is called the Zeeman effect: a magnetic field 'separates' energy levels – and we can make this separation visible.
NV diamonds can not only measure magnetic fields, but also react to temperature, electric fields and mechanical stress. Applications range from medicine and geophysics to materials research and quantum computing.
This exhibit was created as part of the DiQuaMus cooperation with the University of Leipzig (Felix Bloch Institute for Solid State Physics) and the Carolo-Wilhelmina Technical University of Braunschweig (Institute for Science Education).
As visitors, this exhibit gives you the opportunity to experiment with real quantum technology for yourself: you can measure magnetic fields and experience live how a quantum sensor based on NV centres works – interactively, tangibly and playfully.
phaeno works closely with renowned institutions to bring the latest research findings in the field of quantum technology to life at the Science Centre:
In this special workshop for upper-level physics classes, students investigate NV (nitrogen vacancy) centres and encounter phenomena such as fluorescence and the Zeeman effect.
A collaboration with the Technical University of Braunschweig.
| Topics: | Diamonds as magnetic sensors |
|---|---|
| Duration: | 90 minutes |
| Period: | Until July 2026, Fridays at 9:30 a.m. or 10:00 a.m. |
| Class: | 11 - 13 |
| Cost | €3 per person plus day ticket, 10 - 15 people |
More about the workshop
Ceramics that float? What sounds like magic is pure physics. In this exhibit, you will encounter a very special material: yttrium-barium-copper oxide – a high-temperature superconductor.
When this material is cooled sufficiently, it loses its electrical resistance completely. Even more fascinating: it displaces magnetic fields from within itself. This phenomenon – known as the Meissner effect – allows a magnet to levitate stably above the material. The superconductor effectively 'freezes' the magnetic field and holds the magnet in a fixed position in space.
This demonstrates what quantum physics can mean in everyday life: perfect conductivity and magnetic levitation – a key idea for future technologies such as loss-free power lines or magnetic levitation trains.
On weekends and during holidays, we demonstrate what this levitating material is all about in a live demonstration. Come by, be amazed – and experience physics in action.
Gently touch the feathers on the wall to create a virtual quantum particle. Release the feathers and the quantum simulation begins: a colourful, expanding "cloud" shows the possible movements of the particle – the brighter an LED ring glows, the more likely the particle is to be at that location. This phenomenon is called superposition: a particle can exist in several places at the same time.
With a touch, you "measure" where the particle actually is, and the cloud transforms into its final position. After a short time, you can start again and experience the simulation once more.
The movement of the quantum particle is calculated using Schrödinger's equation – the central formula of quantum mechanics. Thousands of LEDs and touch-sensitive metal springs transform abstract quantum concepts into a fascinating visual experience that combines science and art.
Can you balance a ball on a surface where it cannot actually remain? That is exactly what you can try out with this exhibit.
Start the rotating saddle and place a ball in the middle of the curved surface. Observe what happens: without rotation, the ball rolls down immediately. But when the saddle rotates, the situation changes. Adjust the rotation speed and find out at what speed the ball stays in the middle.
The surface of the saddle is curved differently in two directions – similar to a potato chip. This means that the centre is not actually a stable place for the ball. It is only the rotating movement that creates a special effect: the ball begins to wobble slightly around the centre point and can be held there. Physicists call this state a metastable equilibrium.
This experiment clearly illustrates a principle that is also used in modern research. In so-called ion traps, electrically charged particles are held in place by rapidly changing electric fields. The fields attract and repel the particles – similar to how the movement of the saddle stabilises the ball.
Such ion traps are important tools in science. They are used, for example, in atomic clocks and play a role in the development of quantum computers.
