On 14 November, the Faculty of Physics offers quantum research to touch, participate in and marvel at. From family lectures to science slams: guests can discover how exciting quantum physics is until after midnight.
To mark the official "Quantum Year 2025", the Faculty of Physics at the University of Würzburg is opening its doors on 14 November 2025 and inviting guests to the Long Night of Quantum Physics. Starting at 5 p.m., guests can expect a varied programme with lectures, experiments and hands-on stations. The aim of the event is to make the fascinating world of quantum physics tangible for all age groups. The Long Night is open to everyone and free of charge - registration is not necessary.
"We want to show that quantum physics doesn't have to remain an abstract theory," explains Dr Daniela Spanheimer, Managing Director of the Faculty of Physics. "In this special year, we want to get people in Würzburg and beyond excited about our research - by letting them experience, hear and even touch it."
Families and young explorers will take centre stage in the early evening: a quantum quiz explicitly aimed at children and families will provide an interactive introduction to the basics of quantum physics with the help of experiments. Afterwards, Dr Martin Kamp, researcher at the Institute of Physics, will take the audience into the world of quantum puzzles with his lecture "Crazy quantum world and the secrets of Kitty Q".
Würzburg Nobel Prize Winner on Site, Laser Show and Science Slam
After a break with laboratory tours, hands-on stands and culinary offerings, the highlight of the evening will follow at 8:15 pm: Würzburg Nobel Prize winner Prof. Klaus von Klitzing will talk about current developments in quantum research under the title "From Würzburg to the Nobel Prize: The discovery that revolutionised the kilogram" and report on his own scientific career - and his discovery of the quantum Hall effect.
From 10 p.m., a laser show with an accompanying short lecture by Professor Sebastian Klembt from the Chair of Technical Physics will provide impressive moments of light in the lecture theatre. To round off the event, young researchers will show how entertaining research can be in five short performances at the Science Slam. The Long Night ends at around 1 a.m. with insights into astronomy research with a live astronomy programme, during which guests can take a look at the night sky and the fascinating work at the radio telescope in Effelsberg.
Experience Research, Ask Your Own Questions
Between the programme items, numerous stands and laboratories invite visitors to join in. Visitors can talk to researchers, try out small experiments and find out how quantum research gives rise to new technologies. Whether at the Q-Gaming Lounge cat or at the "Hands-on donut physics" stand: Here, too, guests can experience quantum physics.
With the Long Night of (Quantum) Physics, the University of Würzburg is participating in the Germany-wide "Quantum 2025", the theme year of quantum science.
The Cluster of Excellence ctd.qmat
Background: The University of Würzburg is part of the Quantum Physics Cluster of Excellence ctd.qmat - Complexity and Topology in Quantum Matter. Since 2019, it has been jointly run with TU Dresden. Almost 400 researchers from more than 30 countries and four continents are researching topological quantum materials that reveal surprising phenomena under extreme conditions such as ultra-low temperatures, high pressure or strong magnetic fields. The Cluster of Excellence is funded as part of the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments.
