The research group ‘Quantum and Society’ explores the boundary between quantum technology and science communication.

Promotor: C.W.J. Beenakker, Co-promotor: M.T. Wimmer

Lecture, Tuesday Talk

This thesis investigates how quantum, quantum-inspired, and hybrid quantum-classical computation can enhance key points of the automated machine learning (AutoML) pipeline under the constraints of noisy intermediate-scale quantum (NISQ) devices.

Born in Europe roughly 100 years ago, quantum physics brought forth a veritable technological revolution through semiconductors, lasers, fibre optics, and many other technologies that are today ubiquitous in our lives. Now, during the second quantum revolution, Europe can take the lead once more in…

The research group of Semonti Bhattacharyya at the Leiden Institute of Physics studies quantum transport measurements in Van der Waals heterostructures.

This thesis advances automata learning, a key area in computer science, with applications in software verification, biological analysis, and autonomous technologies. It explores three main themes: first, it introduces a passive learning algorithm for generating compact probabilistic models from positive…

This master’s programme combines Physics with Data Science. You will learn how physics has its own tricks to deal with big data and how techniques from machine learning and deep learning can be applied to classical and quantum data. The first focus of attention is on classical data, including data mining,…

Kaveh Lahabi's lab explores the exotic physics of quantum materials, whose underlying physics seems to have more in common with elementary particles and black holes, than ordinary metals and semiconductors.

Promotor: Prof.dr.ir. J.W.M. Hilgenkamp, Prof.dr. J. van den Brink

Our group explores the larger domain of quantum measurement. In particular we investigate two themes that are closely connected: The detection of specially prepared quantum states of light and understanding and characterizing quantum photon detectors.

We are a dynamic research group at the Leiden Institute of Physics. Our aim is to explore and understand quantum materials, including strange metals, high-temperature superconductors, and quantum critical electron matter.

With the help of quantum mechanics, digital quantum hardware may be able to tackle some of the problems that are too difficult for ordinary computers. But despite these expectations and the ongoing effort of the research community, reliable quantum computers are not yet realized in a lab setting.

In this dissertation, we work towards an experiment in which we aim to bring a micrometer sized magnet at the tip of a soft cantilever into a superposition.

The focus of Jan Zaanen's theoretical physics research was the nature of macroscopic matter that is in one or the other way still in the grip of quantum physics.

Ice, the solid state of water, plays an important role on our planet as well as the entire universe.Despite the fact that an individual water molecule has a very simple structure, its chemical bonding in the solid phase can be surprisingly complex.

If you are about to embark on a master’s in Leiden and the city and university are completely new to you, you should seriously consider participating an introduction week.

The master’s specialisation Research in Physics, Quantum Matter and Optics at Leiden University offers a thorough experience on the front line of physics research with a practical training of communicative and computer skills. The programme focuses on Condensed Matter problems, such as Molecular Electronics,…

Advancing the understanding of the interaction of light and matter on the single-quantum level is important for near-future quantum technologies but also to answer fundamental questions.

PhD defence

We explore the possibilities to combine magnetic resonance techniques with atomic force microscopy together in a single microscope: the MRI-AFM, also called Magnetic Resonance Force Microscopy (MRFM).

This thesis considers multi-prover commitment schemes whose security is based on restrictions on the communication between the provers.

Quantum critical metals at vanishing fermion flavor number.

Can you prove whether a large quantum system truly behaves according to the weird and wonderful rules of quantum mechanics — or if it just looks like it does? In a groundbreaking study, physicists from Leiden, Beijing en Hangzhou found the answer to this question.

In our lab, we investigate the physics and material properties of low-dimensional systems.

In this work we describe three methods to improve the performance of Quantum Field Theory calculations.

Promotor: Prof.dr. M.A.G.J. Orrit

Get your stay in Leiden or The Hague off to the best possible start by registering for an introduction week.

Will you be studying in Leiden University in The Hague? If so, join in the HOP introduction week and get acquainted with the city and its student life.

If you are about to embark on a master’s at Leiden University in The Hague and both the city and the University are new to you, consider participating in The HOP. This introduction week has been specially designed to help new students get acquainted with the city and its student life.

We find ourselves in an era of transition, not just towards a more computing- and data-driven society but also away from unsustainable fossil fuels as an energy source.

Do you want to get your stay in Leiden off to the best possible start? Then you cannot afford to miss OWL, Leiden University’s introduction week for international students. In addition to having lots of fun, you’ll make new friendships and start getting to know the University and the city.

Can we use quantum computers in a way that is also relevant to society? With the help of a 2-million-euro NWA grant, Leiden University will work with partners such as Surf, Google and Volkswagen to demonstrate that quantum computers are also of value outside the lab.

Research in the van Exter lab focuses on quantum aspects of light and light-matter interaction. One of our long-term goals is to develop a reliable quantum memory, based on a single emitter in an open micro cavity.

The research in my group addresses a range of topics related to quantum many-body physics.

Intro Week is your way to settle into LUC! You will get to know your fellow students in the Class of 2029, find your way around the city and your new home: LUC. Intro Week 2026 will take place from 17 - 21 August 2026. More details and the schedule are to come!

Friday afternoon, 1 October. Location: one of the most vibration-free places in the world. In this setting, Leiden top scientists launched Quantum Leiden. For decades, researchers at the Faculty of Science have been investigating quantum technology at the highest level and also have been brainstorming…

As an exchange or study abroad student at Leiden University, you will generally follow a selection of taught courses in Leiden or the Hague. In some circumstances, it is also possible to do a project, internship or research.

Surface acoustic waves (SAWs) are mechanical waves that travel along the surface of a material and find many applications in modern technologies due to the ease of excitation on piezoelectric substrates via interdigital transducers (IDTs).

With defending his thesis ‘Applications of topology to Weyl semimetals and quantum computing’, the Leiden theoretical physicist Tom O'Brien has gained the rare 'cum laude' qualification. The freshly minted PhD has started a five year research programme on quantum algorithms for quantum chemistry, funded…

Quantum software is essential to make quantum technology work. Research centers QuSoft and aQa work together at the forefront of the Netherlands’ quantum software efforts. With the launch of the Quantum Software Alliance (QSA), this collaboration now scales globally.

This minor provides a representative and coherent overview of the entire discipline of Psychology.

In the weekly magazine “Mare” from Leiden University, an interview with the Leiden statistics prof. dr. Richard Gill has been published recently about his contribution to the Delfts quantum-experiment.

Intro Week is your way to settle into LUC! You will get to know your fellow exchange students, join activities alongside the Class of 2029, find your way around the city and LUC. Intro Week 2026 will take place from 17 - 21 August 2026. More details and the schedule are to come!

An important discovery makes it possible to communicate complex information among multiple people without the message being cracked. The communication can also relate to complex information.

The small quantum world and our world of perception obey different laws of nature. Leiden physicists search for the border between both worlds. In an article published soon in Physical Review Letters they set an upper limit.