Quantum Power on World Quantum Day: RETHINKING PHYSICS Exhibition Opens at Nuremberg Planetarium

Overview

On World Quantum Day during the Quantum Year 2025, the Nicolaus Copernicus Planetarium in Nuremberg is celebrating women in quantum physics. At 7 p.m., the traveling exhibition “RETHINKING PHYSICS. A Century of Quantum Mechanics – Time for a Female Perspective!” will open, featuring portraits of both established and aspiring female researchers. A highlight of the evening is a lecture by quantum physicist Professor Elena Hassinger on electronic quantum music. Created by the Cluster of Excellence ct.qmat at Würzburg and Dresden universities for the United Nations’ Quantum2025, the exhibition is also touring internationally this year — with stops in Australia, the United States, and beyond.

Recognizing the Excellence of Female Physicists 

“The portraits in RETHINKING PHYSICS reveal the subjects’ enthusiasm for science and their fascination with physics. I hope that excitement is contagious — and inspires young people to consider a career in research! The excellence of women in physics deserves far greater visibility and recognition,” says Professor Elena Hassinger, Professor of Low-Temperature Physics of Complex Electron Systems at ct.qmat in Dresden. Professor Hassinger, one of the female physicists featured in the exhibition, will also give the opening lecture “Electronic Quantum Music” at the launch event in Nuremberg.

The Frequencies of Quantum Materials

Musical instruments have a certain frequency spectrum. Depending on their design, material and how they’re played, different frequencies combine to create a unique sound. That’s why the same note sounds completely different on different instruments. Quantum materials also have characteristic frequencies that arise from the quantum properties of electrons. “If we can detect what we call quantum oscillations in extremely pure materials, we gain insight into the properties of their electrons — and better understand phenomena like superconductivity,” explains Professor Hassinger. In her talk, she’ll demonstrate how these frequency spectra are measured, what they reveal about unknown quantum states – and how they may one day lead to future technologies.

Working Together for Greater Diversity 

“Quantum physics is the future — and thankfully, it’s becoming more female,” says Professor Ralph Claessen, spokesperson for ct.qmat in Würzburg and Professor of Experimental Physics at JMU Würzburg. “In RETHINKING PHYSICS, we want to show role models in the natural sciences and encourage discussion equal opportunities and the cultural structures within the scientific community. And he adds: “Beyond our research, one of our core goals is to bring more diversity into physics – especially quantum physics – and to spark enthusiasm for this field among girls and women.”