• 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.

More information about the seminar:

https://www.we-heraeus-stiftung.de/veranstaltungen/quantum-sensors-devices-and-materials/main/

The event took place on March 5, 2026, and offered a unique, all-in-one opportunity to discover the latest achievements and Latvian-born innovations in the development of microchips and integrated circuits. It brought together students, researchers, and industry experts to foster stronger collaboration between academia and the commercial tech sector.

• 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