INFORM

Our purpose with atom*innen, is first to inform. In this section, you will find definitions that will help you better understand quantum physics if you are not (yet) a quantum scientist.

Acoustics

Quantum acoustics refers to the study of the interaction between quantum mechanical systems and sound waves. It explores phenomena where quantum effects play a significant role in the behavior of acoustic waves or vice versa. This field sits at the intersection of quantum mechanics and acoustics, investigating how principles such as superposition, entanglement, and coherence manifest in acoustic systems, and how acoustic phenomena can be harnessed for quantum information processing, sensing, or metrology. Quantum acoustics encompasses various topics such as quantum-limited measurements of sound, acoustic analogs of quantum systems, quantum transducers for converting between acoustic and other forms of quantum information, and exploring quantum effects in macroscopic acoustic systems.

Bose-Einstein condensation

Electromagnetism

Experimental physics

Quantum experimental physics is a branch of physics that focuses on the experimental investigation and verification of phenomena predicted by quantum mechanics, which is the fundamental theory governing the behavior of particles at the microscopic scale. This field involves designing and conducting experiments to test the principles and predictions of quantum mechanics, such as wave-particle duality, superposition, entanglement, and uncertainty principle. Quantum experimental physicists work with sophisticated equipment and techniques, such as particle accelerators, quantum computers, and quantum optics setups, to observe and manipulate quantum systems, often pushing the boundaries of our understanding of the quantum world. The goal is to gain insights into the fundamental nature of matter and energy at the quantum level and to develop practical applications based on quantum phenomena.

Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

Optics

Quantum optics is a branch of quantum physics that deals with the study of the interaction between light (photons) and matter at the quantum level. It investigates phenomena such as the emission, absorption, transmission, reflection, and scattering of light, all of which occur in discrete, quantized units known as photons. Quantum optics explores how light behaves when it interacts with atoms, molecules, and other quantum systems. This field is crucial for understanding various phenomena such as quantum entanglement, quantum interference, quantum coherence and quantum cryptography. Overall, quantum optics plays a fundamental role in both fundamental research and practical applications, ranging from quantum information science to precision metrology and quantum communication.

Quantum communication

Quantum communication is a field within quantum physics that deals with the transmission of information encoded in quantum states of particles. Unlike classical communication, which relies on classical bits (either 0 or 1), quantum communication employs qubits, which can exist in multiple states simultaneously due to the principles of superposition and entanglement.Quantum communication offers several advantages over classical communication, primarily in terms of security. One of its most prominent applications is quantum key distribution (QKD), which enables the creation of secure cryptographic keys that are theoretically immune to eavesdropping attempts. This is achieved through protocols such as BB84 or E91, which exploit the properties of quantum mechanics to detect any attempt at interception or measurement of the transmitted quantum states. Additionally, quantum communication holds potential for achieving communication protocols that are fundamentally secure and may enable tasks such as teleportation of quantum states and long-distance quantum entanglement for distributed quantum computing. However, current implementations are still largely experimental and face significant technological challenges in achieving practical scalability and reliability.

Quantum computer

Device that exploits the new possibilities offered by quantum mechanics to tackle tasks hard or impossible to solve with our current classical (i.e. non quantum) computers.

Quantum entanglement

Correlations between parts of a quantum system (a system obeying quantum physics) that cannot be present in classical systems (where classical physics works) that are an important resource in quantum computation.

Quantum bit

Analogous to classical bits (0s and 1s) but with states that can be (a) in a coherent superposition, and (b) entangled.

Quantum matter

Quantum matter refers to any material or substance whose behavior and properties are primarily governed by the principles of quantum mechanics. In classical physics, matter is typically described in terms of macroscopic properties like mass, volume, and density. However, at the quantum level, matter exhibits behaviors that are fundamentally different from classical physics. Key characteristics of quantum matter include wave-particle duality,quantization, superposition, entanglement and tunneling.

Quantum mecanics

Quantum mechanics is the branch of physics that deals with the mathematical description of the motion and interaction of subatomic particles, such as electrons and photons. It provides a framework for understanding phenomena such as wave-particle duality, quantization of energy levels, superposition, and entanglement. In quantum mechanics, physical quantities are often represented by operators acting on wave functions, which are mathematical functions that describe the probability amplitude of finding a particle in a particular state. The theory is probabilistic in nature, meaning that it describes the behavior of particles in terms of probabilities rather than definite outcomes. Quantum mechanics has profound implications for our understanding of the nature of reality and has led to the development of numerous technologies, including quantum computers, quantum cryptography, and quantum sensors.

Quantum sensing and metrology

Quantum sensing and metrology deal with the precise measurement and detection of physical quantities.
Quantum sensing involves using quantum systems, such as atoms, ions, or photons, to measure physical quantities with extremely high precision. These physical quantities could include magnetic fields, electric fields, gravitational fields, or even time itself. Quantum sensing takes advantage of the fundamental principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, to achieve measurements that surpass the limitations of classical sensing methods. Examples of quantum sensing technologies include atomic clocks, magnetometers, and gravitational wave detectors.
Quantum metrology is the science and practice of making highly accurate measurements based on quantum principles. It focuses on developing techniques and technologies to achieve measurements with unprecedented precision and accuracy. Quantum metrology often involves manipulating and exploiting the quantum properties of particles and systems to enhance the sensitivity of measurement devices. This can include techniques such as entanglement-enhanced measurement, quantum interferometry, and squeezing. Quantum metrology has applications across various fields, including navigation, timekeeping, communication, and fundamental research.

Quantum simulation

Quantum simulation is a technique used in quantum physics to simulate the behavior of quantum systems using another controllable quantum system. It involves replicating the dynamics of a complex quantum system that is difficult to study directly, such as a large molecule or a condensed matter system, using a simpler, more controllable quantum system that can be manipulated in a laboratory setting. The idea behind quantum simulation is to use a controllable quantum system, such as trapped ions, superconducting qubits, or ultracold atoms, to mimic the behavior of another quantum system of interest. By engineering the interactions between the simulated system and the controllable quantum system, researchers can study the properties and behavior of the simulated system under various conditions. Quantum simulation has the potential to provide insights into fundamental questions in physics, chemistry, and materials science, such as the behavior of strongly correlated electron systems, the dynamics of chemical reactions, and the properties of exotic materials like high-temperature superconductors. It also plays a crucial role in the development of quantum technologies, such as quantum computers and quantum simulators, by providing a platform for testing and validating quantum algorithms and protocols.

Schrödinger's cat

Theoritical physics

Theoretical physics encompasses the study of physical phenomena using mathematical models and theoretical frameworks.

Thermodynamics

Quantum thermodynamics is a branch of physics that deals with the study of thermodynamic processes at the microscopic level, where the principles of quantum mechanics become significant. It merges the principles of quantum mechanics, which describe the behavior of particles at the smallest scales, with thermodynamics, which governs the macroscopic properties of systems with a large number of particles. In classical thermodynamics, systems are described by macroscopic variables such as temperature, pressure, and energy. However, at the quantum level, particles exhibit wave-particle duality, uncertainty, and other quantum phenomena, which can significantly affect the behavior of thermodynamic systems. Quantum thermodynamics seeks to understand and describe the thermodynamic properties of such systems, taking into account the quantum nature of particles and their interactions. It addresses questions such as the limits of efficiency for quantum engines, the role of quantum coherence in thermodynamic processes, and the behavior of quantum systems far from equilibrium. Overall, quantum thermodynamics provides a framework for understanding how quantum mechanics influences the thermodynamic behavior of systems at the microscopic level, leading to new insights into energy conversion processes, information processing, and the fundamental limits of thermodynamic efficiency.

Wave-particle duality

Both light (electromagnetic 'waves', photons) and matter (electrons, atoms, ....) exhibit wavelike (interference, diffraction, ...) and particlelike behaviour in different situations (see examples such as double-slit experiments for both light and electrons, photoelectric effect).

More quantum definitions on Quantum made simple

Diversity is being asked to the party, inclusion is being asked to dance

Our purpose with atom*innen, is first to inform. In this section, you will find definitions that will help you understand gender issues.

Ally

Person who is not a member of a marginalized or disadvantaged group but who expresses or gives support to that group.
Glossary of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB), Harvard Human Ressources)

Bias

A bias is a distortion in the information processing. We can discriminate bias into three main categories: perceptive bias, evaluative bias and behavioral bias.

Perceptive bias

have a direct impact on how you perceive diverse groups (intergroup accentuation bias (or contrast effect) / intracategory homogenization bias (or assimilation effect) / stereotyping bias)

Evaluative bias

make you promote in-group over out-group (autofavoritism bias/allofavoritism bias)

Behavioral bias

make you act in a discriminative way, according to your evaluative bias.

Discrimination

Direct discrimination

is characterised by the intent to treat less favourably a person or a group. Indirect discrimination refers to cases where apparently neutral provisions or practices affect members (or perceived members) of a particular group in less favourable ways.

Structural discrimination

is woven into the ways our societies function, and operates through norms, routines, patterns of attitudes and behaviour that create obstacles in achieving equal opportunities and real equality.
Council of Europe

Diversity

The range of values, attitudes, cultural perspective, beliefs, ethnic background, sexual orientation, skills, knowledge and life experiences of the individuals making up any given group of people.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, One hundred words for equality – A glossary of terms on equality between women and men, Publications Office, 1998.

Empowerment

The process of gaining access to resources and developing one's capacities with a view to participating actively in shaping one's own life and that of one's community in economic, social and political terms.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, One hundred words for equality – A glossary of terms on equality between women and men, Publications Office, 1998.

Equity

Fair treatment for all while striving to identify and eliminate inequities and barriers.
Glossary of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) Terms, Harvard Human Ressources

Gender

A concept that refers to the social differences, as opposed to the biological ones, between women and men that have been learned, are changeable over time and have wide variations both within and between cultures.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, One hundred words for equality – A glossary of terms on equality between women and men, Publications Office, 1998.

Gender equality

The concept that all human beings are free t o develop their personal abilities and make choices w i t h o u t the limitations set by strict gender roles; that the different behaviour, aspirations and needs of women and men are con sidered, valued and favoured equally.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, One hundred words for equality – A glossary of terms on equality between women and men, Publications Office, 1998.

Gender equality index

Unique measurement tool that synthesises the complexity of gender equality as a multidimensional concept into a user-friendly and easily interpretable measure.
European Institute for Gender Equality - EIGE. Gender Equality Index for the European Union.

Gender gap

The gap in any area between women and men in terms of their levels of participation, access to resources, rights, remuneration or benefits.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, One hundred words for equality – A glossary of terms on equality between women and men, Publications Office, 1998.

Gender identity

Each person’s deeply felt internal and individual experience of gender, which may or may not correspond to the sex assigned at birth, including the personal sense of the body (which may involve, if freely chosen, modification of bodily appearance or function by medical, surgical or other means) and other expressions of gender, including dress, speech and mannerisms.
It has to be distinguished from the gender expression which is people’s manifestation of their gender identity, and the one that is perceived by others.
European Commission (2012). Trans and Intersex People: Discrimination on the Grounds of Sex, Gender Identity and Gender Expression. European Network of Legal Experts in the Field of Gender Equality.

Gender pay gap

The gap between the average earnings of men and women.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, One hundred words for equality – A glossary of terms on equality between women and men, Publications Office, 1998.

Gender stereotypes

Preconceived ideas whereby females and males are arbitrarily assigned characteristics and roles determined and limited by their gender.
Gender Equality Commission of the Council of Europe (2015). Gender Equality Glossary.small>

Glass ceiling

The invisible barrier arising from a complex set of structures in male-dominated organisations which prevents women from obtaining senior positions.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, One hundred words for equality – A glossary of terms on equality between women and men, Publications Office, 1998.

Horizontal segregation

The concentration of women and men into particular sectors and occupations.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, One hundred words for equality – A glossary of terms on equality between women and men, Publications Office, 1998.

Inclusion

Inclusion means that everyone is included, visible, heard and considered.
Glossary of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) Terms, Harvard Human Ressourcessmall>

Intersectionality

The overlapping or intersecting social identities and related systems of oppression, domination, or discrimination.
Professor Kimberlé Crenshaw

Invisible barriers

Attitudes and the underlying traditional assumptions, norms and values which prevent (women's) empowerment/full participation in society.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, One hundred words for equality – A glossary of terms on equality between women and men, Publications Office, 1998.

Job segregation

The concentration of women and men in different types and levels of activity and employment, with women being confined t o a narrower range of occupations (horizontal segregation) than men, and t o the lower grades of work (vertical segregation).
European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, One hundred words for equality – A glossary of terms on equality between women and men, Publications Office, 1998.

Labour division

The division of paid and unpaid work between women and men in private public life.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, One hundred words for equality – A glossary of terms on equality between women and men, Publications Office, 1998.

Leaky pipeline

The leaky pipeline is the phenonomen that there are progressively fewer women at increasingly advanced career stages.
Sexism in academia is bad for science and a waste of public funding, Nicole Boivin, Susanne Täuber, Ulrike Beisiegel, Ursula Keller & Janet G. Hering

LGBTQIA+

Acronym for persons who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer, asexual and more.

Lesbian

Woman who is attracted to other women.
Council of Europe (2015). Case law of the European Court of Human Rights relating to discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Gay

Refers to a person who is sexually and/or emotionally attracted to people of the same gender. It traditionally refers to men, but other people who are attracted to the same gender or multiple genders may also define themselves as gay.

Bisexual

Women or men who are attracted to both sexes, female and male.
Council of Europe (2015). Case law of the European Court of Human Rights relating to discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Transgender (trans)

Is an inclusive umbrella term referring to people whose gender identity and/or gender expression differ from the sex/gender they were assigned at birth. The term referring to those people whose gender identity and gender expression match the sex they were assigned at birth and the social expectations is cisgender.related to their gender.
ILGA-EuropeGlossary

Queer

Previously used as a derogatory term to refer to LGBTI individuals in the English language, queer has been reclaimed by people who identify beyond traditional gender categories and heteronormative social norms. However, depending on the context, some people may still find it offensive. Also refers to queer theory, an academic field that challenges heteronormative social norms concerning gender and sexuality.
ILGA-EuropeGlossary

Intersex

Umbrella term to denote a number of different variations in a person’s bodily characteristics that do not match strict medical definitions of female or male.
European Commission (2012). Trans and Intersex People − Discrimination on the Grounds of Sex, Gender Identity and Gender Expression. European Network of Legal Experts in the Field of Gender Equality.

Asexual

Someone who does not experience sexual attraction. Asexual people have the same emotional needs as everybody else and are just as capable of forming intimate relationships. Asexuality should not be misinterpreted as celibacy, which is a choice or a certain situation. Some consider asexuality as a sexual orientation.
ILGA-EuropeGlossary

Matilda effect

This effect reffers to women's invisibility in STEM.

Microaggressions

A comment or action that unconsciously or unintentionally expresses or reveals a prejudiced attitude toward a member of a marginalized group, such as a racial minority. These small, common occurrences include insults, slights, stereotyping, undermining, devaluing, delegitimizing, overlooking or excluding someone. Over time, microaggressions can isolate and alienate those on the receiving end, and affect their health and wellbeing.
Glossary of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) Terms, Harvard Human Ressources

Neurodiversity

When neurological differences are recognized and respected as are any other kind of human differences or variations. These differences can include Dyspraxia, Dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Dyscalculia, Autistic Spectrum, and Tourette Syndrome.
Glossary of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) Terms, Harvard Human Ressources

Non-binary

Refers to gender identities other than male or female.
ILGA-EuropeGlossary

Positive action

Measures targeted at a particular group and intended to eliminate and prevent discrimination or to offset disadvantages arising from existing attitudes, behaviours and structures (sometimes referred to as positive discrimination).
European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, One hundred words for equality – A glossary of terms on equality between women and men, Publications Office, 1998.

Pygmalion effect

The psychologists Rosenthal and Jacobson highlighted that one is going to act the way people expect her/him to act. For example, you are more likely to fail your physic course if your professor tells you that you cannot success.

Quota

A defined proportion or share of places, seats or resources t o be filled by or allocated to a specific group, generally under certain rules or criteria, and aimed at correcting a previous imbalance, usually in decisionmaking positions or in access to training opportunities or jobs.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, One hundred words for equality – A glossary of terms on equality between women and men, Publications Office, 1998.

Racism

A belief that racial differences produce or are associated with inherent superiority or inferiority. Racially-based prejudice, discrimination, hostility or hatred. Institutionalized racism, also known as systemic racism, refers to forms of racism that are engrained in society or organizations. It is when entire racial groups are discriminated against, or consistently disadvantaged, by larger social systems, practices, choices or policies.
Glossary of Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) Terms, Harvard Human Ressources

Scully effect

The scully effect showed how representations and role models are important.

Sorority

The feminist concept of sorority was defined during the second wave of feminism (1960-1980) as a bond of female sisterhood that would overcome the differences of class, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and nationality, putting gender before any other existential condition.
ECDHR

Vertical segregation

The concentration of women and men in particular grades, levels of responsibility or positions.
European Commission, Directorate-General for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion, One hundred words for equality – A glossary of terms on equality between women and men, Publications Office, 1998

Our purpose with atom*innen, is first to inform. We want everyone to undersand that, if there has been some progress, Austria (and Europe in general) still lacks of girls choosing physics as a career. And even if they do so, there is still a leaky pipeline: the higher the positions, the less women. Here you will find data showing the proportion of women in physics so you can judge by yourself.

(most data is from Eurostat)