For Robert Löw, “the quantum world is so bizarre that we can hardly imagine it. Things happen there that defy common sense. They fundamentally contradict our everyday experiences and the reality, as we know it. Yet this world—the quantum world—is completely real; we are even living right in the middle of it,” he explains.
In his lecture as part of the HNF series “The Hunt for the Future,” Löw takes the audience on a journey through the history of science regarding light—from humanity’s first fire pits, through classical concepts of optics, to the astonishing discoveries of quantum physics. He vividly demonstrates how our understanding of light has changed over the centuries and why lasers are among the most important tools of modern research.
The lecture that will be held in German provides insights into current experiments that make quantum effects in atoms visible and controllable, and shows how these can lead to new technologies for quantum communication, sensor technology, and future quantum computers.
When: February 17, 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Where: Heinz Nixdorf MuseumsForum, Fürstenallee 7, 33102 Paderborn
Free admission
About Robert Löw
In addition to his research in the field of quantum optics, Robert Löw aims to bring basic research to the public. He regularly gives popular science lectures and writes books. He is the author of the children’s book “The Electron in the Swimming Pool – Stories from the Incredible World of Quantum Physics” and the book “Quantum. 100 Pages.”
About the lecture series “The Hunt for the Future” at the HNF
Technologies are evolving at a rapid pace, making it increasingly difficult to keep track of everything. So what does the future hold for us? Where does the potential lie that can transform our society? We explore these questions in popular science lectures and give renowned experts a platform to share their insights.