• Weak and Strong Coupling in Hybrid Plasmonic Nanosystems
• Introduction to numerical methods in photonics
• Quantum technologies using photons
• Imaging techniques for nano-object characterization
• Electric (and future optical!) addressing of Ln On-Surface
• Practical training: Entangled photon source, Optical tweezers, Optical alignment techniques, Introduction to quantum cryptography
• Administrative training: Research Office and Innovation Office at the UTT, CNRS technology transfer; Open science in projects; How to put up an MSCA proposal; Project writing.

We thank the prof. Christophe Couteau and his colleagues for the warm welcome and organization of the event. The personnel of ISSP and RTU gained valuable insights into establishing an internationally recognized research center that will support the main objective of the ToEQPL project.

• Quantum photonics materials and technologies,

• Integrated quantum photonics,

• Quantum communication and networks,

• and Quantum sensing and metrology.

The event established a foundation for Latvia’s recognition as an emerging hub for quantum technology development. The networking opportunities enabled ToEQPL participants to form valuable connections with world-class researchers, supporting future research endeavors. Given the success of this year’s conference, we already look forward to the continuation of this event with the 2nd International Conference, scheduled to take place at ISSP in 2027.

For full details about this year’s conference program and activities, visit the conference webpage: https://toeqpl.eu/conference/    

Those interested in participating in the conference are invited to submit abstracts by 19 January. Notifications regarding acceptance will be sent by 26 January.

Participation in the conference is free of charge.

Registration form.

More information on applications and the conference programme

The conference will take place at the hall «The Moon» of the RTU Science and Innovation Centre, Ķīpsalas iela 6A, second floor. It is organised by the partners implementing the project «Towards a Quantum Photonics Centre of Excellence in Latvia» (ToEQPL): University of Latvia Institute of Solid State Physics, Riga Technical University, the University of Trento and the Troyes University of Technology.

Latvia has established a Quantum Initiative covering a range of research fields, including quantum algorithms, quantum electronics and photonics, in which Latvian scientists have achieved international recognition. To strengthen research capacity and promote knowledge transfer in quantum photonics technologies, the partners of the ToEQPL project are developing a comprehensive roadmap for the establishment of a quantum photonics centre of excellence in Latvia. Conferences and various educational and outreach activities are also being organised to reinforce the knowledge base in quantum photonics.

The project is funded by the European Union’s research and innovation programme «Horizon Europe» (grant agreement No. 101160101).

The two-day visit provided a comprehensive overview of best practices across the Horizon Europe project lifecycle, combining expert presentations, practical demonstrations, and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange.

Key focus areas of the visit included:

• The strategic role of Research Manager Administrators and their contribution to impact-driven project implementation
• Reporting periods and results management, including common administrative and financial challenges
• Financial monitoring mechanisms and reporting preparation processes
• Budget planning and expenditure tracking using administrative tools such as SAP, Excel, Agendo, and SGA
• Budget oversight, financial adjustments, and risk management in EU-funded projects
• Audit preparation practices and expenditure accounting
• Practical use of the EU Funding & Tenders Portal from both partner and coordinator perspectives
• Project coordination, reporting templates, and submission guidelines

A particular emphasis was placed on the practical application of financial and administrative tools, supported by real-life examples and open discussions on effective project management approaches. The programme concluded with a dedicated session on project coordination and reporting, encouraging active dialogue, questions, and recommendations for strengthening future cooperation.

Overall, the visit served as a valuable platform for experience exchange, capacity building, and institutional collaboration, reinforcing the importance of professional research support structures in the successful implementation of Horizon Europe projects.

The participants gained insights into the benefits of Lump Sum projects, alongside the key administrative considerations necessary for their effective management. Valuable experiences related to project audits were shared, including practical guidance on how to prepare for them successfully.

Key topics covered during the sessions included:

• Cooperation and partnership-building strategies
• Common pitfalls in project planning and implementation
• Best practices to enhance project quality and outcomes
• The significance and processes of project audits
• Financial management
• Reporting, and risk management
• Financing mechanisms: actual costs and Lump Sum mechanisms

A special session led by Trento’s administrative project managers offered targeted training, with five RTU administrators actively contributing their experience in managing Horizon Europe projects. Participants had the opportunity to explore in detail the project administration system implemented at the University of Trento, offering inspiration for possible improvements in their own institutions.

Overall, the workshop provided not only practical knowledge but also enhanced participants’ understanding of diverse international approaches and solutions. It was a valuable opportunity to build connections and strengthen collaboration among Research Manager Administrators.

Third workshop will be held in University of Trento from 10 to 11 June.

The talk showcased ongoing research within the ToEQPL project, highlighting advancements in the development of single and entangled photon sources. The work is carried out in collaboration with Riga Technical University, the University of Technology of Troyes, and the University of Trento. What set this presentation apart was its focus on organic materials for quantum applications—an innovative approach presented alongside more traditional discussions on inorganic materials and quantum communication infrastructure.

Bundulis highlighted recent progress in single-photon source development, including novel molecular design strategies and the establishment of advanced characterization capabilities. Additionally, he discussed the integration of entangled photon sources into photonic chips, a critical step toward scalable, on-chip quantum systems.

These findings contribute to the broader vision of the Quantum section, demonstrating how organic materials can serve as a scalable and complementary solution for the heterogeneous integration of quantum light sources into existing photonic platforms—while also advancing the core objectives of the ToEQPL project.

The first aim of the QSG workshop is to offer seminars held by young scientists and leading researchers in theoretical and experimental quantum physics. The talks will be divided between senior and junior invited speakers, in addition to further contributions selected among all the participants. Moreover, the workshop will include special talks from company and startup representatives working in the field of quantum science and technology. A second goal of the QSG workshop is to promote and facilitate discussions between the students, postdocs, young researchers, and experienced professors through social activities such as social dinners and poster Aperitivo Sessions.

The target audience comprises local and international PhD students and early-stage postdocs (about 50-70).

Quantum technology is a fast-developing field with a wide range of promising near-term applications, from quantum simulation of quantum many-body systems to hybrid quantum-classical algorithms. The Quantum Science Generation Workshop 2025 aims to cover some of the most critical aspects of those developments and provide an equilibrated, up-to-date overview of the most active research areas within this field. The workshop’s topics will include optical and condensed matter platforms for quantum computing, quantum simulation of problems of interest for condensed matter, nuclear, high-energy, or gravitational physics, and hybrid quantum algorithms for optimization problems. 

Follow for more on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qsgworkshop/

During this edition of the event, we will have the pleasure of hearing talks from

Keynote speakers:

• Tom O’Brien (Google)
• Dieter Jaksch (Hamburg University, Germany)
• Michael Galili (Technical University of Denmark, Denmark)
• Lea Santos (University of Connecticut, USA)
• Simone Montangero (Padova University, Italy)

Invited speakers:

• Ming Lai Chan (Niels Bohr Institute & Sparrow Quantum, Denmark)
• Noemi Tagliavacche (Pavia University, Italy)
• Giulio Cappelli (CNRS Institut Néel, France)
• Viktor Svensson (University of Oslo, Norway)
• Juliette Monsel (Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden)
• Luca Banszerus (University of Vienna, Austria)
• Matteo Secli (EPFL, Switzerland)
• Davide Castaldo (ETH, Switzerland)
• Arianna Crippa (Desy, Germany)
• Arina Tashchilina (IQOQI Innsbruck & University of Innsbruck, Austria)

Sponsors: 

• Optica– Leading company in optics and photonics
• APS – American Physical Society
• Photon Technology – Leading company in superconducting nanowire single photon detector
• IQM – Leading company in quantum computing technologies
• Janas – Spinoff of eXact lab, it is startup producing software solutions optimized for neutral-atom devices
• Quantum Science and Technology (IOP publishing) – High impact journal publishing both theoretical and experimental research specializing on quantum technologies.
• Quantinuum – Leading company in fault-tolerant quantum computation

The second part of the visit took place at LENS, European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy, where we were welcomed by project’s advisory board member, professor Costanza Toninelli. Scientific staff of ISSPUL and RTU were introduced to the research facilities of LENS and fruitful discussions were held with the researchers regarding organic single-photon source development and other aspects of quantum photonic systems.

We thank our Italian colleagues for the warm welcome and look forward to future collaboration in the field of quantum photonics.

In the practical session, experiments were shown that demonstrated the mutual interaction of matter with light. The audience also observed and learned about the effects of absorption and photoluminescence. We extend our gratitude to Ķekava Secondary School for their warm hospitality and to the students for their keen interest and enthusiasm.

Riga, October 31, 2024

The International Conference on Quantum Photonics took place on October 21-22, 2024, at the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia, marking a significant milestone in the launch of the European project “Towards an Excellence Centre on Quantum Photonics in Latvia (ToEQPL).” This pioneering initiative is set to advance the development of quantum photonics in Latvia and establish the country as a leader in this innovative field.

Quantum photonics, an emerging discipline at the intersection of quantum technologies and integrated photonics, has gained momentum with the European Commission’s Quantum Flagship initiative. Latvia’s own Quantum Initiative aims to harness the expertise of professionals from diverse fields such as mathematics, computer science, materials science, physics, and engineering. Key Latvian figures, including Prof. Andris Ambainis and Prof. Vyacheslavs Kashcheyevs, are instrumental in driving this effort, focusing on applications such as quantum cryptography and quantum algorithms.

The ToEQPL project aims to create a Centre of Excellence that will facilitate collaborations across institutions, including the project coordinator, the Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia (ISSP UL), Riga Technical University (RTU), the University of Trento (UNITN), and the University of Technology of Troyes (UTT). By leveraging ISSP UL’s material research capabilities, the initiative seeks to bridge quantum algorithms and photonics, fostering a robust ecosystem for quantum photonics in Latvia.

“As the project coordinator, I see this initiative as a transformative opportunity for ISSP UL to lead in quantum photonics research and elevate Latvia’s standing in this vital field. By collaborating with esteemed partners and fostering innovation, we aim to position Latvia as a key player in the European quantum technology landscape,” explained the ToEQPL project coordinator, a leading researcher, and head of the ISSP UL’s Laboratory of Organic Materials, Dr. Phys. Aivars Vembris.

Asked about the ToEQPL project, Prof. Christophe Couteau from UTT emphasized the potential of combining quantum technologies with photonics: “I believe the project is very important and timely. Quantum photonics—these two words, when considered separately, highlight the significance of quantum technologies and photonics. Together, they have the potential for even greater impact. The goal is to create an ecosystem and a supportive environment for quantum photonics in Latvia. You already have some developments in both fields, and the project’s idea is to integrate them.” The ToEQPL aims to position Latvia as a recognized hub for quantum photonics at the European level.

Discussions during the conference encompassed a range of topics, including organic quantum light sources, quantum communication systems, quantum sensors, and superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors. The event featured speakers from all consortium partners of the ToEQPL project, along with researchers from the University of Latvia.

Prof. Lorenzo Pavesi (UNITN) expressed appreciation for the conference’s success, highlighting Latvia’s strong research capabilities: “We’ve come together because of the excellent research happening here. Our goal is to leverage the great work being done in Latvia to advance quantum photonics. By combining our international expertise with that of local research groups, we aim to develop quantum photonics technology. This technology can be a catalyst for technology transfer and help create new industries in this field.”

After the event, Prof. Andris Ambainis noted that “quantum technologies are one of the most topical future technologies in the world, which are currently developing very rapidly. We can see this both in quantum computers, where more and more powerful quantum devices are being built and in quantum encryption, which is also developing in Latvia. This project has an important role to play in Latvia, as it increases Latvia’s potential in this very important field.”

Meanwhile, Prof. Vyacheslavs Kashcheyevs was pleased to see the new generation of researchers at the ISSP UL, who are strong in materials science and nano-device fabrication and are ready to take on global experience during the project. The scientist highlighted the collaboration with world experts, which plays an important role in promoting scientific excellence. “With this project, Latvia is gaining competencies in these quantum applications. Therefore, quantum photonics, through this project, is gaining a significant additional strength in the Latvian innovation ecosystem. The ToEQPL project is also an achievement we were hoping for when we launched the Quantum Initiative, as we see that the partners and the project board are made up of industry leaders at European and global levels. It is by learning from the best that we can all grow, and scientific excellence does not remain confined to a particular field but is transferred to sectors where the accumulated human capital and know-how can be further transferred to applications that are not necessarily focused on a specific narrow field. Being in the same research area with strong European institutions is the overarching goal for our entire research environment.”

The conference served as a vital platform for knowledge exchange, bringing together experts and researchers to share insights and discuss the latest advancements in quantum technologies. By fostering partnerships among participants from various institutions and countries, the conference contributes significantly to the ongoing development and innovation in quantum photonics.

About the Project 

The project is funded by the European Commission through the Twinning program and aims to establish a Centre of Excellence for Quantum Photonics in Latvia, addressing the underrepresentation of quantum photonics research in the region. By leveraging the expertise of the ISSP UL and collaborating with esteemed Western European universities, the initiative seeks to create a competitive research hub that fosters innovation and knowledge transfer in quantum technologies. The project will include organizing conferences, schools, and workshops to support the development of this emerging field in the Baltic states. The Twinning project “ToEQPL” is financed by the European Union under grant agreement No 101160101.

Latvian Quantum Initiative
ToEQPL project

Information prepared by

Līga ŪdreHead of Communications and Public Relations
Institute of Solid State Physics, University of Latvia
Email: liga.udre@cfi.lu.lv