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QCA Connect 2026

Date & Time: 8 December, 2026, 09:00–18:00
Venue: Auditorium 1593‑012, Aarhus University

QCA Connect (former QCA Annual Meeting) brings together scientific excellence, early-career research, industry perspectives and opportunities to connect across the quantum ecosystem.

Programme highlights include:

  • Invited scientific talks from leading researchers in quantum science and technology
  • QCA Incubator Spotlight featuring the two selected 2026–27 Incubator projects
  • Sapere Aude: Quantum Research at Aarhus University with Rosana Turtos and Christian Frydendahl
  • Quantum Voices – short talks by PhD students and early-career researchers from across QCA
  • Quantum Ecosystem and Industry Perspectives with contributions from research, infrastructure and industry
  • Poster session and audience poster prize
  • Industry and ecosystem stands with companies and organisations from the wider quantum community
  • Networking throughout the day, ending with pizza, drinks and informal networking

You may find the tentative programme below (click here).

Save the date and join us on 8 December 2026.

Poster Session

We warmly encourage participants to submit abstracts for poster presentations. Registration for bringing a poster will open as soon as possible. 

Posters will be selected by the QCA Seminar Committee based on the submitted abstracts. All applicants will be notified in time to allow at least four weeks for preparing and printing a new poster ahead of the meeting.

Registration

Registration for participation and poster session opens as soon as possible. Get notified directly by following us on LinkedIn og signing up for the QCA mailing list.

PROGRAMME

09:00–09:30 | Registration

  • Arrival
  • Informal networking
  • Scientific posters
  • Industry and ecosystem stands
  • Audience voting for the poster prize

09:30–09:45 | Welcome and State of QCA

  • Welcome and a short update on QCA activities and developments.

09:45–10:30 | Invited scientific talk I

  • To be announced

10:30–11:00 | Coffee break and networking

  • Scientific posters
  • Industry and ecosystem stands
  • Informal networking
  • Audience voting for the poster prize

11:00–11:30 | QCA Incubator Spotlight

The QCA Incubator supports new interdisciplinary collaborations across Aarhus University within quantum science and technology. It is designed to help early-stage ideas develop through matchmaking, strategic sparring, access to relevant expertise and infrastructure, and preparation for future external funding and collaboration.

In this session, the two teams selected for the 2026–27 QCA Incubator will introduce their projects, the collaborations they are building and the directions they plan to develop over the coming year.

1. Quantum Circuit Optimization through Group Theory and Buildings

  • Corina-Gabriela Ciobotaru — Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, Aarhus University
  • Daniel Gratzer — Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science, Aarhus University
  • Johannes Carl Droschl — Postdoc, Department of Mathematics, Aarhus University
  • Jens Emil Christensen — PhD Student, Department of Computer Science, Aarhus University
  • Esben Kaae Bonnerup — PhD Student, Department of Mathematics, Aarhus University

The team explores a new geometric approach to quantum circuit optimisation, bringing together group theory, the theory of buildings and computer science. The project focuses on minimising costly CX gates by translating circuit optimisation into a geometric problem and aims to develop new mathematical methods with potential algorithmic applications.

2. QuSPIN – From Altermagnetic Quantum Materials to Quantum-Enabling Spin Technology

  • Sonal Shreya — Assistant Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aarhus University
  • Kishori Lal — Postdoc, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aarhus University
  • Yusuke Imai — Postdoc, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aarhus University
  • Partnering with Jill Miwa — Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University

QuSPIN explores how emerging altermagnetic materials could enable new spin-based quantum technologies. The team will connect theoretical modelling, materials exploration and experimental pathways, with potential directions including quantum sensing, spin-based information processing, quantum interfaces and magnonics.

11:30–12:15 | Sapere Aude: Quantum Research at Aarhus University

In this session, we spotlight two researchers from the Aarhus quantum community who have received Sapere Aude: DFF-Research Leader grants from Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) this year. 

Rosana Turtos and Christian Frydendahl will present their research projects and share their plans and ambitions for the coming years. The session offers an opportunity to learn about their work and find inspiration for new ideas and collaborations across the QCA community.

Rosana Turtos, Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University

  • Mapping Radiation Damage at the Nanoscale Using Colour Centres
  • Rosana's Sapere Aude project explores new approaches to measuring how ionising radiation deposits energy in matter at the nanoscale. By developing nanodosimetry based on colour centres, the project aims to provide new insights into radiation-induced damage, with potential applications in radiotherapy and radiation detection.
    Rosana will introduce the scientific ambitions of her project and her plans for the research supported by the grant. Read more about Rosana's project on DFF's website here.

Christian Frydendahl, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University

  • Quantum Control of Emission in Valleytronic Materials
  • Christian's Sapere Aude project explores how to control light emission using atomically thin, two-dimensional semiconductor materials. By combining electrical control with nanophotonic structures, the project aims to investigate new possibilities for controlling the properties of emitted light, with potential applications in future quantum technologies.
    Christian will present the scientific ambitions of his project and his plans for developing this research direction with the support of the grant. Read more about Christian's project on DFF's website here.

12:15–13:15 | Lunch, poster session and ecosystem stands

  • Scientific posters
  • Industry and ecosystem stands
  • Informal networking
  • Audience voting for the poster prize

13:15–14:00 | Quantum Voices: Early-Career Research Across QCA

Short talks by PhD students and early-career researchers from different departments and faculties.

  1. Asbjørn Frost Teilmann — PhD student, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University
    • Asbjørn investigates quantum algorithms and error mitigation and correction, with a particular focus on applications in quantum chemistry in a joint project between NQCP and AU (supervised by Professor Nikolaj Zinner, Artem Volosniev and Professor Jaco van de Pol).
  2. Amit Saha — Postdoc, Department of Computer Science, Aarhus University
    • Amit received a postdoc stipend from DEIC in the Danish Quantum Algorithm Academy on Scalable Quantum Software for Distributed Execution. From mid-November 2026 he is part of Jaco van de Pol’s Quantum Software team, studying quantum program compilation, circuit optimization, synthesis, and verification.
  3. Third speaker to be confirmed

14:00–14:45 | Invited scientific talk II

  • To be announced

14:45–15:15 | Coffee break, posters and ecosystem stands

  • Scientific posters
  • Industry and ecosystem stands
  • Informal networking
  • Audience voting for the poster prize

15:15–16:15 | Quantum Ecosystem and Industry Perspectives

Three contributions of approximately 20 minutes each:

Nick Volet
Associate Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Aarhus University

  • From Research to Quantum Ecosystem: Collaboration, Spinouts and Opportunities
  • Nick Volet will share perspectives from the interface between research and industry, including collaboration, spinouts and opportunities for translating quantum research into the wider quantum ecosystem. His talk will also set the scene for the broader ecosystem and industry session that follows.

Mark Kamper Svendsen
Novo Nordisk Foundation Quantum Computing Programme (NQCP) / Quantum Foundry Copenhagen

  • Building the Quantum Computing Infrastructure: From Foundry to Facilities
  • Mark Kamper Svendsen will introduce the activities and ambitions of NQCP and Quantum Foundry Copenhagen, with a focus on the facilities, infrastructure, and chip-fabrication capabilities being developed to support quantum computing. The talk will provide an overview of how these resources contribute to the wider Danish quantum ecosystem.

Kvantify
Speaker to be confirmed

  • Industry perspective, including an update on Qrunch
  • Kvantify will contribute perspectives from the quantum industry, including an update on the development of Qrunch and how the initiative has evolved.

16:15–16:30 | Poster Prize and Closing Remarks

  • Audience poster prize, key takeaways, and upcoming QCA activities.

16:30–18:00 | Pizza, Drinks and Networking

  • Informal networking, with posters and ecosystem stands remaining open.

Industry and ecosystem stands

Meet companies and organisations from the wider quantum ecosystem during the poster sessions and networking breaks. Confirmed participants currently include:

  • Vacpro – vacuum technology for advanced research and quantum applications
  • QuNorth – Danish initiative working to provide researchers, startups and enterprises with access to world-leading quantum computing infrastructure
  • QVersion – Aarhus University spin-out developing compact mid-infrared laser technology for sensing and photonic applications
  • Kvantify – Danish quantum company working with quantum software, algorithms and industry applications
  • More to be announced.

Photography Notice (GDPR)

There will be taken photos at the event. To comply with the GDPR, we must inform you that the photos will only be used in AU-related contexts and as PR for the event. Contact the photographer on the day of the event if you do not wish to be photographed.

Seminar Committee

Event and administrative support:

Lise Refstrup Linnebjerg Pedersen, QCA Coordinator, Aarhus University, (lrlp@au.dk)

Revised 30.09.2026
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Lise Refstrup Linnebjerg Pedersen