Past week, the Institute of Quantum Optics and Quantum Information in Innsbruck celebrated its 20th anniversary. Many leading minds in quantum physics came to Innsbruck to celebrate this anniversary together with Innsbruck's physicists. On Friday, the public was invited to take a look into the quantum world at an open day.
A joint summer school organized by IQOQI Vienna and IQOQI Innsbruck kicked off the activities to mark the 20th anniversary. Students from all over the world came to be introduced to the world of quantum physics by distinguished speakers. After the weekend, they had the opportunity to follow the International Conference on Quantum Optics and Quantum Information. Leading minds in quantum physics had come to Innsbruck, including three Nobel Prize winners: Serge Haroche, Wolfgang Ketterle and David Wineland. Austro-Nobel Prize winner Anton Zeilinger did not make it to Innsbruck. Due to the flooding in eastern Austria, he was only able to attend online.
At the opening ceremony on Monday evening, quantum computer pioneer Rainer Blatt took the many guests - including ÖAW Vice President Ulrike Diebold and Tyrolean Provincial Councillor Cornelia Hagele - on a journey through the history of the institute, from the first ideas for its foundation to its great research successes. In between, the young physicists Alberto Canali, Arfor Houwman and Elena Poli provided some laughs with their science slam contribution, showing how difficult and yet fruitful the collaboration between theory and experiment can sometimes be. Together with Hannes Pichler, Francesca Ferlaino gave an exciting outlook on the coming years of quantum research in Innsbruck. Not only the institute celebrated its birthday on Monday, but also one of its founders: quantum pioneer Peter Zoller turned 72 and was visibly delighted by the many congratulations, as was his colleague Rainer Blatt, who celebrated his 72nd birthday a week ago. There was a large birthday cake for each of them.
Intensive conference days followed until Friday at the Center for Chemistry and Biomedicine, where outstanding personalities presented current developments in quantum physics. Young researchers reported on their research work in a poster exhibition. A conference dinner at the Hotel Grauer Bär provided a relaxed setting for the guests to exchange ideas. Another highlight was the open day on Friday. In the morning, around 500 pupils came to IQOQI Innsbruck to visit laboratories and workshops, test experiments and gain insights into physics. In the afternoon, hundreds of interested people flocked to the institute to get an idea of the research facility.
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