The Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI)

Quantum physics is concerned with fundamental questions of physics, such as the existence of superposition states or the entanglement of quantum states and the implications of their application. In the period since Max Planck's discoveries, theoretical and experimental research has evolved at an amazing pace and scientists today are capable of controlling quantum systems of photons, of single ions and atoms or small numbers of them with extraordinary precision. The trend of quantum physics towards information technology promises exciting future applications such as the development of quantum computing, quantum cryptography or quantum measuring techniques.

Close coordination of theory and experiment

The new subject area of quantum information is one of the fastest growing areas in physics at the moment. It has emerged over the past ten years and resides at the interface of quantum physics with mathematics and informatics. The new science is concerned with applying the rules of quantum physics to information processing and far exceeds hitherto known ?classical informatics?. Quantum information processing includes both computing (quantum computer) and information transfer (quantum communication) by quantum physical methods. This makes it a very interdisciplinary subject that necessitates close coordination of theory and experiment. Quantum optics is the special area of physics concerned with quantum-physical phenomena of individual light particles (photons) and their interaction with matter, particularly with individual atoms. Systems of a few atoms and photons have been studied intensively in quantum physical basic research experiments for about twenty years. For a few years now it has been possible to control and manipulate such systems very well in experiments, which makes them particularly well suited to deepening our understanding of quantum physics.

Laboratories in Innsbruck and Vienna

In November 2003, the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences was founded. It is made up of a laboratory in Innsbruck with research groups headed by R. Blatt and R. Grimm (experimental physics), H. Briegel and P. Zoller (theoretical physics) as scientific directors, and a laboratory in Vienna headed by A. Zeilinger (experimental physics) as scientific director. Sharing the institute is essential for drawing together the activities in Vienna and Innsbruck.

The newly founded independent research institute of the academy is meant to create a direct link to the university and provide a framework for research and teaching within which academy and university complement each other. The academy institute models itself, both in terms of research and structure, on the Max Planck institutes in Germany, with a substantially stronger emphasis on external funding. The link with the university and the physical proximity to it should encourage lively exchange at undergraduate and post-doc level and integrate the members of the academy institute into university teaching.

Framework for focused research

The objectives and the profile of the institute center on comprehensive basic research, at theoretical and experimental level, in the area of quantum information and quantum optics. In addition to the theoretical formal basics of quantum information (WG Briegel), the investigation focuses on theoretical concepts for the realization and implementation of quantum computers (WG Zoller), and quantum protocols (WG Briegel, Zoller). Experimental work is concerned with quantum-optical experiments and the realization of quantum computers on the basis of individual stored ions (WG Blatt), experiments with Bose-Einstein condensation and superfluid Fermi gases at ultra-low temperatures (WG Grimm) as well as fundamental experiments with photons and their application in quantum communications (WG Zeilinger). The close cooperation of these working groups generates great synergies, enabling the Institute for Quantum Information and Quantum Optics to

• provide a framework for focused research
• enable long-term projects with a large time horizon
• complement university research
• develop quantum technologies in cooperation with industry
• represent a platform for internationally funded research
• provide a center for international guest scientists
• enable young researchers to develop their own research profile

Encouraging young researchers is a central concern: within the working groups young researchers should get the opportunity to develop a scientific profile in within a first-rate research context. A favoured objective and plan for the next few years is the creation of independent groups of young researchers, limited to a certain period, for whom the academy institute would provide a basic setup both in terms of personnel and equipment that would need to be topped up with external funding.

The objectives and the profile of the institute center on comprehensive basic research, at theoretical and experimental level, in the area of quantum information and quantum optics.