The Center for Complex Quantum Systems (CCQ) is a groundbreaking research initiative on quantum physics aiming to advance our understanding of collective quantum phenomena in large collections of particles, such as atoms, ions and photons. We seek to exploit these insights to generate and control emergent interactions that may arise at the interface of such distinct quantum system, and to develop new techniques for the probing and steering of complex quantum dynamics. The center is based at Aarhus University, at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and is funded as a Center of Excellence by the Danish National Research Foundation.  CCQ was initiated in September 2020.

In the CCQ we seek to advance the understanding of collective quantum phenomena by building up complex quantum systems from a single-atom level. When atoms are cooled down to near absolute zero temperatures, they can open a window into the quantum nature of matter. The technological breakthroughs to make this possible have revolutionized our ability to study individual quantum systems and offer a backbone for future quantum technologies. The CCQ aims to expand these capabilities by designing, exploring and exploiting novel hybrid platforms in which atoms, ions, and photons blend together to form entirely new quantum states and generate emergent behavior beyond their individual functionalities.

The center brings together three theory groups (Thomas Pohl, Georg Bruun and Klaus Mølmer) and two experimental groups (Jan Arlt and Michael Drewsen) who contribute complementary expertise in atomic physics, quantum optics, many-body theory and quantum information science. In the center, we collaborate and interact closely with several groups at Aarhus University and our international partners at Durham University, the University of Innsbruck, the ETH Zurich, the Weizmann Institute of Science and the Institute for Theoretical Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics at the Harvard-Smithsonian CfA.