“Quantum technologies will define the coming decades, not only for states and territories but also for businesses and individuals: the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region understood this as early as 2018 and has since continued to invest resources and support projects developed by our university system. Q-Connect FVG and Quasar-FVG address highly strategic aspects such as connection security and the creation of quantum computers.”

This was the summary provided today by the Regional Councillor for Universities and Research, Alessia Rosolen, during a press conference presenting the two new projects coordinated by the universities of Trieste and Udine, in collaboration with Cnr-Ino, Cnr-Iom, Sissa, and the Synchrotron.

“Quantum technology, together with hydrogen,” Rosolen recalled, “is the key trajectory on which Friuli Venezia Giulia has focused to remain at the forefront from a system development perspective, in which the benefits must extend to the entire range of stakeholders, from research institutions to public bodies, from businesses to individual citizens.”

“Collaboration with the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region has been essential in recognizing the potential of the quantum technology sector, in which we have made significant territorial investments. The projects presented today position the University of Trieste as a leading player at the national level, with international opportunities both for fundamental research and for applications with companies across various sectors. We are already one step ahead nationally thanks to our strong partnership with the regional ecosystem,” added the Rector of UniTS, Donata Vianelli.

The role of UniTS

The University of Trieste, with Professor Angelo Bassi, coordinates the QUASAR FVG project, which aims to develop new experimental, theoretical, and algorithmic protocols for quantum computation and simulation. This role has been assigned to UniTS due to the laboratories of the university’s ArQuS group (Artificial Quantum Systems), led by Professor Francesco Scazza and Dr. Matteo Marinelli.

Professor Scazza leads a laboratory focused on the simulation of complex quantum systems, using the cooling, trapping, and control of two-electron atoms. By employing high-precision optical manipulation techniques and spectroscopy, it is possible to achieve control at the level of a single atom.

The new laboratory currently under development is coordinated by Dr. Marinelli and will specifically focus on creating new interfaces between atoms and photons for modular quantum computing.

These laboratories, unique at the national level for their research areas, together with the theoretical expertise that earned the UniTS Department of Physics the “Excellence” certification from the Ministry of Universities and Research, provide the ideal experimental and technological environment for the development of the QUASAR FVG project.

UniTS also participates as a partner in the Q-Connect FVG project, thanks to the existing quantum link between UniTS and UniUD, inaugurated in February 2025 at the Trieste campus. This link represents the first step toward an infrastructure that aims to become a model for Italy and Europe.