91ÇàÇà²Ý

News

Researchers merged quantum optics with a treasure hunt

In The Photonic Trail exhibition, you can learn about photons, lasers, qubits, quantum superposition, and quantum entanglement in a world of mischievous fairies, ghost ships and rumbly dwarves. The exhibition is open in the premises of Otaniemi upper secondary school April 11 - May 2. You can also play the game online.
The Photonic Trail

One of the aims of , the national quantum institute, and the platform developed by some of the institute’s researchers is to increase our understanding of the significance of quantum research and technologies in the society. Now QPlayLearn has created The Photonic Trail game in collaboration with Quantum Flytrap. The game introduces the basics concepts of quantum optics in a playful way, while also maintaining a high level of accuracy in the explanations.

The exhibition is open in the premises of Otaniemi upper secondary school April 11 - May 2, from Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm. The exhibition is in English, and it's suitable for secondary and upper secondary school students.

Quantum optics is the study of how light quanta, called photons, interact with atoms and molecules. But there is more than just physics in The Photonic Trail game. It is a combination of physics, fantasy storytelling and art.

The Photonic Trail is a treasure hunt with six missions covering the basics of quantum optics. In the exhibition, you can learn about photons, lasers, qubits, quantum superposition, and quantum entanglement in a world of mischievous fairies, ghost ships and rumbly dwarves.

In the game, players find themselves immersed in the Enchanted Realm, where their goal is to seek the Hilbert Spade, an ancient, magical artefact that kingdoms once warred over before it was hidden away. It's said that whoever wields the Hilbert Spade can travel anywhere in spacetime by simply digging a small hole in the ground. But only a Master of Light is worthy enough to attain this treasure.

In order to become such a Master, players must traverse the ancient Photonic Trail, overcoming obstacles along the way. The challenges come in the form of six missions, and to accomplish them players must conduct experiments in a virtual laboratory of quantum optics.

Each successful mission takes you one step closer to becoming a Master of Light, one step closer to finding and wielding the Hilbert Spade.

The exhibition is sponsored by Aalto University and the University of Helsinki, both part of InstituteQ, with support from Algorithmiq Oy. Read more at the .

If you want to visit the exhibition with your class, please contact teacher Matti Heikkinen, matti.heikkinen@eduespoo.fi, tel. 050 4024077.

Credits

Artist: Sibel Kantola

Concept and Stories: Radha Pyari Sandhir

Development & Production: Caterina Foti, Rosario Maniscalco, Sabrina Maniscalco and the QPlayLearn team.

Contact information:

Caterina Foti

Caterina Foti: My dream is to expose people from 0- to 99-years old to the quantum world

Caterina Foti is involved in a quantum institute, a quantum online platform, a quantum exhibition, and a quantum startup that just received seed funding.

News
The low-temperature plate inside of the refrigerator. The team attaches their bolometers here. Credit: Aalto University.

Finnish Quantum Institute announced

InstituteQ will coordinate research, teaching and commercialisation across Finland

News
  • Updated:
  • Published:
Share
URL copied!

Read more news

Person in front of a laptop.
Cooperation, Studies, University Published:

FITech Network University's new project increases the network’s capabilities in continuous learning

FITech's new FITech FORWARD project aims to develop the member universities’ ability to create offerings of continuous learning and micro-credentials to meet the current skill needs in the field of technology. Besides Aalto University, also Tampere University, University of Oulu, and University of Vaasa are involved in the project.
Two light wooden stools, one with a rectangular and one with a rounded structure, placed against a neutral background.
Research & Art Published:

Aalto University's Wood Studio's future visions of Finland's most valuable wood are presented at the Finnish Forest Museum Lusto

Curly birch – the tree pressed by the devil – exhibition will be on display in Lusto until March 15, 2026.
Five people with a diploma and flowers.
Awards and Recognition, Campus, Research & Art Published:

Spring term open science highlight: Aalto Open Science Award Ceremony

We gathered at A Grid to celebrate the awardees of the Aalto Open Science Award 2024 and discuss open science topics with the Aalto community.
Two interconnected circular loops; one blue labelled 'Simulation DBTL loop', one brown labelled 'Real-world DBTL loop'.
Awards and Recognition, Press releases, Research & Art Published:

A revolution for R&D with the missing link of machine learning — project envisions human-AI expert teams to solve grand challenges

Samuel Kaski receives ERC Advanced Grant to develop new machine learning that is robust, generalisable and engages human experts.