QuantumVR

The QuantumVR project has developed an escape game in virtual reality (VR). The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding the game as part of the outreach funding initiative "Quantum aktiv" (FKZ 13N15399). In QuantumVR, players free animals from a laboratory by completing simple quantum algorithms. Similar to IBM's Quantum Composer, the players bring quanta into the right state with the help of gates.

The animals themselves are also a mnemonic for how these gates work. Just as the cat "Mr. X" always does the opposite of what is expected of him, the "X" in the quantum gate always twists the current state into the opposite: A |1⟩ becomes |0⟩ and |0⟩ becomes |1⟩. QuantumVR thus provides a low-threshold introduction to basic quantum gates and quantum states. It is designed to draw attention to the increasingly relevant quantum technologies at outreach events, generate interest, and reduce inhibitions.

By the end of 2022, QuantumFrontiers adapted the game for use in MasterClasses and university teaching. Thanks to virtual reality, for example, it is already possible today to have students experiment with the quantum technologies of tomorrow. In the digital world, even seminars in the courses of study on quantum technologies can be offered regardless of location. In this way, QuantumVR will soon enrich various teaching formats on a regular basis. The researchers are supported by the Stiftung Innovation in der Hochschullehre, which funds the project as part of ProDiGI.