On the trail of quantum physics

“Coincidence often plays a major role in findings”

One of the many lasers in the laboratories at the institute.

(Bild: Johanna Birbaumer)

Since Anton Zeilinger was awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics, quantum physics has at least become a household name for a larger part of the population. The institute in Tyrol is celebrating its birthday this year. The "Krone" paid a visit. One of the founders talks about the beginnings.

Anton Zeilinger was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2022 for his research in the field of quantum teleportation. He also conducted research in Innsbruck for nine years. To mark the award, a Tyrolean editor paid a visit to the physicists there.

Quantum physics in a nutshell

Quantum physics describes the laws of nature at the atomic and subatomic level and also predicts the properties of much larger systems. Without it, we would not have computers, smartphones, lasers or solar cells.

This year, the Institute of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI) is celebrating its 20th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the "Tiroler Krone" once again visited the campus in the west of the provincial capital.

Physicist and one of the founders of the institute Rudolf Grimm in conversation with the "Tiroler Krone".

(Bild: Johanna Birbaumer)

The foundations were laid in the 1990s
One of the founders and directors of the IQOQI is Rudolf Grimm. He remembers the beginnings: "There were already some great successes in quantum physics in the 1990s. Anton Zeilinger was still here at the time, as were Peter Zoller and Rainer Blatt. It was a time in which many things developed. A very important step, however, was the founding of a special research area, which was funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF. At that time, working groups from Innsbruck and Vienna were brought together. We were later able to convince the Academy of Sciences of this concept. The Academy then founded the Quantum Institute with parts in Innsbruck and Vienna."

This foundation took place in collaboration with the University of Innsbruck, with which the cooperation still works excellently today.

The institute was opened in Innsbruck in 2004.

(Bild: Johanna Birbaumer)

When asked about the milestones of the past two decades, Grimm says that there have been many.

Enough time for creativity is a challenge
The physicist mentions quantum teleportation, quantum logic, Bose-Einstein condensates, fermionic condensates and much more. "I could list 50 highlights and I still wouldn't be finished."

One challenge is finding enough time to be creative. This is often difficult in day-to-day research.

Rudolf Grimm

Grimm does highlight one breakthrough. "We were able to create the first Bose-Einstein condensate with caesium atoms. Many renowned groups had not succeeded in doing this before. It is a very recalcitrant type of atom, so to speak. We have managed to find a way around this."

Facts and figures

• The Institute of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information was founded in 2004.
• On September 16, the 20th anniversary will be celebrated in the main building of the University of Innsbruck. Four Nobel Prize winners, including Anton Zeilinger, will be taking part.
• A scientific conference will be held in the following days.
• On Friday, September 20, there will be an open day to introduce the public to the world of quantum physics. From 1.30 p.m. to 5 p.m., interested visitors of all ages can take a close look at the laboratories.

The physics professor cites time as one of the particular challenges in day-to-day research. "Finding enough time to be creative is often difficult. Otherwise, of course, the experiments all involve a lot of technology. It also takes a lot of time to search for errors."

"There are also golden days and weeks in research"
But there are also "golden days and weeks when everything works and you get wonderful results". According to Grimm, research is currently focusing on quantum logic, quantum simulation and quantum computers. "A lot of progress is currently being made here." In some areas, a breakthrough is also imminent, the physicist reveals.

The results can be seen on the screens.

(Bild: Johanna Birbaumer)

We will pursue goals and achieve them safely, but also make chance discoveries along the way.

Rudolf Grimm

What headlines the media can look forward to in the next 20 years "cannot be predicted. Chance plays a major role in many discoveries. You do an experiment and suddenly discover completely new and unexpected things. I believe this will continue to be the case in the future. We will pursue and achieve goals, but we will also continue to make chance discoveries.

By the way: IQOQI does not yet have a motto. "We've never formulated one. Maybe we should do that one day." There would be a good opportunity to do so at the birthday celebrations.