Pohang City Hosts Global Scholars to Discuss the Future of Quantum Technology!

On the 1st, Pohang City held the opening ceremony of the ‘POSTECH Signature Conference 2023’ hosted by POSTECH at the POSCO International Hall International Conference Room.

On the 1st, Pohang City held the opening ceremony of the 'POSTECH Signature Conference 2023' hosted by POSTECH at the POSCO International Hall international conference room.

At this international conference, over 250 experts from various quantum fields, including scientists and researchers, gathered to discuss a wide range of topics such as quantum materials, superconducting quantum devices, and quantum optics, aiming to establish an international joint research and exchange platform and to discuss the role of basic research institutions for the future of quantum technology.

Key speakers included Professor Philip Kim from Harvard University's Department of Physics and Professor Yoonho Kim from POSTECH, who gave lectures on ‘The Current Status of Quantum Technology Research in the United States and the Importance of International Cooperation’ and ‘Research on Quantum Systems through Weak Interactions and Measurements,’ respectively.

Additionally, Professor William Oliver from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Department of Physics and Professor Irfan Siddiqi from the University of California, Berkeley’s Department of Physics delivered lectures on specialized quantum fields.

Quantum refers to the smallest unit of energy possessed by matter that can no longer be divided, and quantum technology is an innovative technology that utilizes these characteristics to enable ultra-high-speed computing, ultra-reliable security, and ultra-precise measurement, surpassing the limitations of existing technologies.

In the bio sector, quantum technology is used for deriving new drug candidate substances and high-sensitivity quantum bio sensors (rapid virus detection), while in manufacturing and semiconductor fields, it is applied to production planning design based on quantum computers and defect analysis of semiconductors and batteries, making it a game changer that is expected to revolutionize and innovate all future industrial sectors.

Accordingly, countries such as the United States, Europe, China, and Japan are making all-out efforts to secure quantum technology, and South Korea is also accelerating technology development, workforce training, and expansion of the industrial ecosystem.

The United States designated quantum technology as a strategic technology for national security in 2018, enacted the Quantum Act, and allocated an annual budget of trillions of won at the federal government level. China announced in 2017 the establishment of a national quantum information science research institute worth 13 trillion won to build the world’s largest quantum research institute.

South Korea is also accelerating technology development, workforce training, and industrial ecosystem expansion, recently announcing comprehensive support policies such as passing the Quantum Science Technology and Quantum Industry Promotion Act for quantum technology development and selecting quantum technology as one of the 12 national strategic technologies.

Pohang City supports quantum technology research at POSTECH, the Max Planck POSTECH Research Institute, and others. The 4th generation synchrotron radiation accelerator built in Pohang, the third in the world after the United States and Japan, is being utilized for quantum technology research. Recently, POSTECH succeeded for the first time in the world in visualizing quantum spin waves in 4-dimensional spacetime using the 4th generation synchrotron radiation accelerator, which can be used for large-capacity computer information storage.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, “At a time when the whole world is fiercely competing to dominate quantum technology, it is meaningful that domestic and international quantum science and technology experts gathered in Pohang to hold a conference aimed at establishing an international joint research and exchange platform.” He added, “In the future, if quantum technology research is applied to Pohang’s main industries such as bio and battery industries, it is expected to maximize the synergy effect of new industry creation.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.