Quantum Decoded: An Accessible Dive into the World of Quantum Science

Exhibition from June 25 to August 20, 2025 – Museum of the History of Science, Geneva

To mark the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology proclaimed by UNESCO, Geneva’s Museum of the History of Science is hosting a unique exhibition: “Quantum Decoded.” Organized by the Geneva Quantum Centre (GQC) at the University of Geneva, in collaboration with the “La Physique Autrement” team (Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS), the exhibition offers a clear, captivating, and visually striking exploration of a field already shaping our technological future.

Quantum Physics at the Heart of Everyday Life

Long confined to laboratories and scientific elites, quantum physics is increasingly entering our daily lives: secure telecommunications, ultra-precise clocks, medical imaging, and advanced materials… Its applications are wide-ranging—sometimes unexpected.

Quantum Decoded is designed for everyone: teachers, students, scientists, engineers, and the simply curious. No matter your level of background knowledge, the exhibition offers an accessible gateway into this famously complex science.

A Two-Part Exhibition: From Core Concepts to Cutting-Edge Research

The exhibition is structured around 10 educational posters displayed inside the museum. Five key foundational concepts of quantum physics are brought to light:

• quantization
• wave-particle duality
• superposition of states
• Young’s double-slit experiment
• and quantum entanglement

Each concept is illustrated by a recent scientific breakthrough stemming from research in leading laboratories: the most precise clock in the world, an electron observed within a hydrogen atom, a giant molecule passing through two slits simultaneously, particles entangled over distances of more than 1,000 kilometers, and even an experimental realization of the famous Schrödinger’s cat thought experiment.

Rare Objects and Interactive Displays

Two display cases enrich the exhibition route. The first showcases the fascinating LaAlO₃/SrTiO₃ interface—a striking example of quantum materials engineered at the atomic scale. Just a few layers of atoms are enough to produce radically new properties, invisible in the individual materials themselves. The second case reveals a quantum cryptography receiver module from ID Quantique: a glimpse into the inner workings of “Bob,” the famous recipient of quantum messages.

Immersive videos filmed in Geneva laboratories complete the visit, offering a behind-the-scenes look at researchers' daily work.

Science Beyond the Walls

In parallel, an outdoor exhibition extends the experience along the shores of Lake Geneva. Large-format posters illustrate cutting-edge research conducted at the University of Geneva in areas such as quantum information, precision measurement, and novel materials. An original way to make science visible in public space.

An Initiative of the Geneva Quantum Centre

Founded in 2022, the Geneva Quantum Centre (GQC) is an interfaculty center at the University of Geneva. It showcases Geneva’s quantum research and fosters collaborations with major institutions such as CERN and leading tech companies in the canton. The GQC also develops training programs for students and organizes events open to the general public, thus affirming its role in serving society and enhancing the visibility of Geneva as a hub of scientific and international excellence.

Practical Information:
Quantum Decoded
📍 Museum of the History of Science, 128 Rue de Lausanne, Geneva
🗓 June 25 to August 20, 2025
🕒 Open daily (except Tuesdays), from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Free entry
🌿 Science beyond the walls – Outdoor access along the shores of Lake Geneva
🌐 More info: GQC, La physique autrement, MHS, Année de la quantique

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