ANNUAL REPORT 2016 1 Introduction „The increase in funds, the first such occurrence in a number of years, is a trend that needs to continue.” In 2016 the Slovenian Research Past year was the first since 2010 devoted to promoting science and to date on the consequences of Agency has spent (co-)financing when the financing of research via international cooperation, and the reduced resources, both financial research activities within the con- the Agency took a turn for the bet- Agency continued to play an active and human, for the operation of the firmed work programme, introduc- ter. Although the increased financ- role in the Science Europe associa- Agency and the research sector in ing a new instrument and further ing fell short of the amount required tion. general. The increase in funds, the improving operating conditions and to implement substantial changes, The Agency presents the results first such occurrence in a number of support for researchers. Time was the Agency was able to cover the of the standard bibliometric and years, is a trend that needs to con- also spent preparing for the start of assumed commitments that re- other quantitative indicators used tinue. The impact funding has on the application of the new Rules on sulted primarily from the increase globally to monitor research activ- indicators manifests itself over the the Procedures for Financing, Co-fi- in research projects. These limited ities in the chapter entitled Inter- long term; therefore, we cannot yet nancing, Evaluating and Monitoring funds notwithstanding, the Agency national comparisons. Note should properly assess the full implications the Implementation of Research participated in a European Research be made that the relative impact that the austerity measures enact- Activities. The Agency submitted Council (ERC) initiative aimed at factor of works published in scien- ed over the past few years have had the Rules to the Ministry responsi- increasing the involvement of sci- tific journals exceeded 1.06, which on science. ble for Science in December 2015; entists from countries less well means that Slovenia’s performance however, the inter-ministerial coor- represented or less successful at ranked above the global average for dination process was relatively pro- ERC grant competitions within the the first time. At the same time we Prof. dr. József Györkös, tracted. Therefore the Rules did not framework of the enlargement in- should not overlook the fact that Director enter into force until August 2016, strument. The Slovenian Research the trend of patent applications is which meant that all major proce- Agency became one of the research still negative. dures conducted in 2016 were in ac- agencies from 7 EU Member States When preparing the 2017 and 2018 cordance with the Rules which were to implement Visiting Research budgets, the Agency kept the Min- valid at the time. Fellowships. In 2016 emphasis was istry responsible for Science up 2 3 Annual report 2016: Content Published by: Slovenian Research Agency Prof. dr. Tomaž Prosen: From Quantumphysics to Smart Phones 8 Bleiweisova cesta 30 1000 Ljubljana News and events 14 Slovenia Financing structure 18 Edited by: Tina Glavič Novak Institutional financing 20 Research programmes 21 Contribution and overview: prof. dr. József Györkös, dr. Marko Perdih, dr. Stojan Pečlin, Tina Vuga, Founding obligation and infrastructural programmes 22 Polona Novak, Urša Novak Competitive financing 23 Translation: Iolar d.o.o. Research projects 24 Design and graphic preparation: Žak Prinčič, m.a., Ilumina d.o.o. Young researchers 28 Scientific literature 30 Photography: Peter Irman, Žak Prinčič, m.a. International activities 31 Print: Collegium Graphicum Agency’s international cooperation 36 Published: Ljubljana, 2017 International comparisons 40 Number of copies in English: 200 About the Agency 46 Online access: www.arrs.gov.si/en/gradivo/dokum/ Excellent in Science 2016 54 ISSN 2350-5885 Natural Sciences 55 Engineering Sciences 63 Medical Sciences 68 Biotechnical Sciences 72 Social Sciences 76 Humanities 79 4 5 IN THE SPOTLIGHT 6 7 From Quantum Physics to Smart Phones Prof. dr. Tomaž Prosen Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, University of Ljubljana You performed brilliantly over the position of the consortium and us- help us predict the practical value simulators, which are the first gen- very well suddenly find ourselves cryptographic methods. There is last year and won a EUR 2 million ability, the sole purpose of the ERC of this theoretical research? eration of quantum computers or living with quantum computers. Of also the famous Shor algorithm, European Research Council (ERC) is to fund excellent scientific ideas The aim of my research is to get a analogue quantum computers, i.e. course, this will not happen in one which operates significantly fast- tender. Can you explain the purpose and applicants. The call is intended basic understanding of transport machines that are designed for the fell sweep. Quantum simulators er than any classical algorithm of this research? primarily for basic research, which phenomena in simple model sys- simulation of other models. These must be developed first but, within on classic computing machines, It is basic research on theoretical is slightly less funded than applied tems. If we gain a solid grasp of that, are used in ultra-cold atom tech- a decade or so, they should be more and the Grover algorithm which mathematical physics, for the pur- research at the EU level. then things can develop and be- nologies in laboratories around the digital and some day we may wake searches for an element in an un- pose of exploring quantum trans- come useful in terms of finding ma- world, where systems of atoms are up in a quantum information society. ordered list. These are the only port in complex strongly interact- Researchers who apply to various terials that have the right transport prepared at very low temperatures algorithms that are expected to ed multi-particle systems. These domestic and international calls of- properties. It is therefore directly and their states manipulated pre- In what sense might a quantum be incomparably faster, given the are systems typically examined ten lament the proliferation of ad- linked to the physics of materials, cisely. These systems can simulate, computer change our lives, not just best classical and best quantum by statistical physics. Although ministrative procedures, which can but this is not my aim. My objective for example, the theoretical models for scientists, but in general? algorithms. We do not imagine quantum transportation sounds dull the essence of research. What is to explore mathematical physics. that I imagine in my research. Cur- That is difficult to imagine. The to use quantum computers for very useful and may have several are your experiences? rently, for example, my colleagues main problem with digital quan- the general computational pro- real-world applications, the pur- The ERC application process is rela- In this context the creation of a and I are preparing an application tum computing is that we do not cedures, which we now perform pose of the research is to expand tively effortless. There is very little quantum computer is foreseen. for the European project QuantERA, know what we would use it for. on classic portable computers. the envelope of human knowl- bureaucracy associated with the Can you tell us what that is? the purpose of which is to devel- People like new things and new Therefore, the problem is open on edge, but not to apply that knowl- application. The application form is Quantum technology is a practi- op quantum technologies. We will ideas, but we really do not know several fronts. Some are quantum edge as a technology. simple. The document that needs cal discipline that is highly rele- propose collaboration between ex- what these computers would be algorithms: others are quantum to be prepared is also relatively vant to my area of work –quantum perimental groups, including ours used for. There are two algorithms hardware. Both are still in their in- What are the submission criteria straightforward and left to the re- multi-particle systems. I explore and other theoretical groups from which are likely to make quantum fancy. This is in contrast, however, for an ERC call? searcher. If you have the right idea, models that are fully coherent and Berlin. The quantum technologies computers incomparably fast- to the quantum simulator, which The criterion is almost exclusively not much more is required. well suited for quantum information currently being developed will, in er than classical computers. One is an analogue quantum comput- scientific excellence. Unlike other You will be conducting basic re- processing, i.e. quantum comput- my opinion, lead to the gradual evo- of these is cryptography, or the er, and is already on the threshold applications, which must take into search to study non-equilibrium ing models. More specifically, this is lution of a quantum computer. We factorization of prime numbers, of becoming an integral part of the account factors such as the com- multi-particle systems. Will this associated with so-called quantum talk a lot about this, and we may which is an essential element in physicist’s laboratory. 8 9 You recently said that it is most prof- development of top scientists are Does this group include Slovenian ten hear colleagues comment that itable to invest in the unknown. Does worse than in the West. The best researchers? Slovenian physicists possess very your research address the unknown? scientists migrate to places where Slovenians are included primarily advanced mathematical knowl- Isn’t dealing with the unknown the conditions are better. Although at the doctoral student level. The edge and that we have a relatively whole purpose of the scientific en- some say that we are experiencing group will in fact be mixed, half doc- well-defined synthesis of mathe- deavour? To me, it certainly is.