From Curiosity to Research – A Student Internship on Goethe University’s Quantum Computer
Arthur Frisch, an 11th-grade student, is not your average high schooler. With a deep interest and clear passion for mathematics, computer science, and physics, he actively seeks ways to pursue his curiosity. Since the Easter break of 2025, Arthur has been completing a student internship at Goethe University Frankfurt, working with the university’s “Baby Diamond” quantum computer, which was officially inaugurated on December 16 of the previous year.
Originally from North Rhine-Westphalia, Arthur participated in the early talent program “Math for Young Aces” in Münster. His first point of contact with Goethe University Frankfurt came when he discovered that this program was also offered here. At the same time, his interest in physics grew. At home, he built circuits, soldered circuit boards, and immersed himself in topics related to mathematics, computer science, and quantum computing – often through YouTube tutorials.
Proactive Application for a Student Internship
“Lacking a quantum computer of my own,” Arthur says with a smile, he began searching – on top of his parallel enrollment in a mathematics pre-study program – for an internship to deepen his engagement with quantum physics. That’s when he came across “Baby Diamond”, Goethe University’s quantum computer.
Taking the initiative, he emailed Prof. Dr. Dr. Thomas Lippert, Chair of Modular Supercomputing and Quantum Computing at Goethe University. Lippert referred him to Dr. Manpreet Jattana, Deputy Group Leader at the faculty, who, after a short conversation, was “pleasantly surprised by Arthur’s motivation and talent.” They arranged an internship: two full-time weeks during Easter break, followed by one day per week for continued research work.
Working on the “Baby Diamond” Quantum Computer
“Modern quantum computers are still error-prone,” Jattana explains. Their function relies on two core physical principles: superposition and entanglement. Superposition allows qubits to represent multiple states at once – but these states are highly sensitive to external influences such as temperature and noise. Entanglement refers to the deep interconnection between multiple qubits, enabling mutual state influence – an essential mechanism for quantum algorithms.
“Baby Diamond” is a special model: although it currently operates with only five qubits (quantum mechanical switches), its modular architecture allows for future expansion – a vital step toward scalable quantum computing. The system is also extremely energy-efficient.
“A Quantum Computer Is Nothing More Than a Physical System You Can Represent Mathematically”
At the start of his internship, Arthur was given a research paper titled “Benchmarking gate-based quantum computers”, co-authored by Prof. Lippert, which discusses methods to test and evaluate the stability of quantum computers. Arthur’s task was to “apply benchmarking methods – used on other quantum computers – to the ‘Baby Diamond’,” says Jattana, adding that Arthur’s Python programming skills were another major asset.
He worked on code that was then simulated and tested using conventional computers – because in the end, Arthur notes with a smile, “a quantum computer is nothing more than a physical system you can represent mathematically.” Although it takes longer to simulate quantum processes on traditional systems, it still works. While Arthur admits he’s not sure whether he’s “actually made a difference,” his focus was on “gaining initial insights, exploring new approaches, and following my curiosity.”
Feeling Supported – and Full of Enthusiasm
Arthur’s proactive application initially caught the university administration off guard – it wasn’t immediately clear how to categorize his request. “Eventually, it proved to be a truly well-organized internship,” he recalls. Both his experience, as well as the university’s numerous pre-study programs, highlight Goethe University’s openness and commitment to fostering motivated and curious young minds.
Arthur is convinced of the value of his experience: “I can highly recommend a quantum computing internship at Goethe University to anyone interested in these modern technologies. I had a lot of fun and always felt well supported.” His supervisor, Dr. Jattana, also has words of praise: “Arthur was friendly and open-minded, worked independently at our institute, and used the opportunity to engage with our PhD students.”
Focusing on Finals – and Inspiring Future Students
As he continues with high school, Arthur plans to focus on his Abitur exams and will pause his pre-study program for now. After graduating, he hopes to study mathematics – possibly also computer science or physics. He is particularly interested in artificial intelligence and human aging research.
An inquisitive young mind, supported by an open academic environment where curiosity thrives – Arthur’s internship with Goethe University’s quantum computer is a prime example of how talent and passion can be meaningfully nurtured. Perhaps it is a spark that will inspire other young people to take their own first steps into research.
Class Visits and Open Days at the Faculty of Modular Supercomputing and Quantum Computing
Arthur also connected the university with his teacher, paving the way for a class field trip to see “Baby Diamond” up close – perhaps inspiring the next generation of scientists.
According to Dr. Jattana, the department offers tours and open days for “everyone from seasoned researchers to students” from across the Rhine-Main region and beyond. The goal is to foster deeper exchange with the scientific community.
“As a scientist at Goethe University, I see it as my responsibility to give the next generation opportunities to explore research environments early on,” Jattana says. Proudly, he adds, “‘Baby Diamond’ will continue to inspire students like Arthur Frisch and motivate them toward a life of scientific curiosity.”
Kevin Knöss
“Baby Diamond” – Hesse’s First Quantum Computer
The heart of “Baby Diamond” is no bigger than a standard desktop PC, but it represents a new era of computing. Officially commissioned at Goethe University in December 2024, “Baby Diamond” – developed by XeedQ GmbH – operates at room temperature (20°C), unlike other quantum computers that require cooling with liquid helium near absolute zero. This makes it especially suitable for research use. Initial applications at Goethe University include portfolio optimization in finance, nurse shift scheduling, and challenges in quantum chemistry. But its main purpose is research itself: students and scientists can develop quantum algorithms – and even modify the way qubits are generated. “Baby Diamond” is also expected to be made accessible to users of Germany’s National High-Performance Computing network.
