About the School
Scope
Our school aims to spread excitement about the highly active and innovative research field of Quantum Science and Technology in Central America. In our one week programme we will cover the fields of Quantum sensing and metrology, Quantum computing and quantum simulation of many-body physics as well as molecular quantum physics.
Each day will focus on a different topic to allow in-depth discussion and learning:
- Introduction to Quantum Science
- Atoms, Molecules and Rydberg Atoms
- Light Matter Interaction, Quantum Metrology
- Quantum Computing
- Quantum Sensing and Q&A Entrepreneurship
Additionally, plenty of time will be reserved for hands-on teaching formats, a Q&A session on entrepreneurship and in-depth discussion between attending students and leading researches in the field.
Target audience
University students of physics, engineering and neighbouring disciplines with a strong interest in Quantum Science and Technology enrolled at universities in Central America, South America or Mexiko.
Our lecturers
We are excited that the following experts in the field have agreed to join us for a week of lectures, hands-on workshops and networking:
- Hadiseh Alaeian, Purdue University, USA
- Rukmani Bai, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany
- Hans Peter Büchler, Universität Stuttgart, Germany
- Rosario González-Férez, Universidad de Granada, Spain
- Óscar Andrey Herrera Sancho, Universidad de Costa Rica
- Piet Schmidt, PTB Braunschweig and Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany
- James Shaffer, Quantum Valley Ideas Lab, Canada
- Tilman Pfau, Universität Stuttgart, Germany
Organizers
The Wilhelm and Else Heraeus School on Quantum Science and Technology in Central America 2026 is jointly organized by the Universidad the Costa Rica and the University of Stuttgart:
- Leonora de Lemos Medina (Universidad de Costa Rica)
- Óscar-Andrey Herrera-Sancho (Universidad de Costa Rica)
- and Tilman Pfau (University of Stuttgart)
We are very grateful for funding by Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Stiftung, Germany.
School Details
23 - 28 August 2026
The school will take place at Universidad de Costa Rica's Sede del Sur Campus in Golfito, Costa Rica. We will organize a group transfer by bus from/to San José international airport (Juan Santamaría International Airport).
All lectures and events will be held in English so that sufficient English language skills are a mandatory requirement for participation.
Please submit your online application by 30 April 2026.
The following documents are required to apply:
- One up-to-date CV/resume in English language,
- One recommendation letter in English written by a university lecturer/professor,
- and a link to a 2 minute short video in English in which you explain your motivation to join our school and comment on your prior knowledge about basic Quantum mechanics.
Places are limited so that we cannot guarantee participation. We will notify you in late May 2026 via email whether you have been selected for participation. Selection criteria include sufficient English language skills, an academic record in basic quantum mechanics, academic excellence and recommendation letters.
Please understand that incomplete and/or late applications cannot be considered.
Accommodation and meals during the school are covered thanks to the generous financial support of Wilhelm and Else Heraeus-Stiftung. There is no participation fee for students.
However, students are required to pay for their own travel to/from San José.
Knowledge in basic quantum mechanics is a prerequisit for successful participation in our school. We strongly recommend all participants (especially those who did not yet attend lectures on this subject as part of their university curriculum) to prepare for the school by viewing the following two online lectures:
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