2025 marks the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, kicking off this morning at the JKU with none other than Nobel Laureate Anton Zeilinger, a pioneer in the field of quantum mechanical entanglement and quantum information. HS1 at the JKU was filled to capacity and the presentation was streamed lived to other lecture halls. Over 300 students from across Upper Austria and over 1,000 guests in all were amazed to learn how quantum physics has fundamentally changed our understanding of reality for almost 100 years. In the past, the universe was thought to function like clockwork and be calculated precisely, but it turns out the opposite is true. In the world of quanta, many processes are random and impossible to calculate with precision. Quantum effects are very peculiar and contradict what we know in terms of our day-to-day lives; for example, individual atoms or light particles can become entangled with one another, correlating to a greater degree than what we see in conventional physics, thereby forming the basis behind modern quantum technologies, such as quantum computers and quantum cryptography.

Today's presentation marked Anton Zeilinger's return to the JKU as some 30 years ago, he held a lecture series at the university focusing on the threat of nuclear weapons as well as on basic experiments in quantum physics. His presentation today spanned from the origins of quantum physics 100 years ago to how we understand the field today. Zeilinger encouraged the students and remarked: “People have long wondered whether or not physics just describes the way the world is, or merely or what we can state in regard to our world. Today we assume that physics describes what can be said, but this describes everything in the world and nothing beyond that. If you have an idea, pursue it enthusiastically, even if you make mistakes. My passion was the basis for my scientific accomplishments.”

In addition to the students, JKU Rector Stefan Koch, Alberta Bonanni (JKU physicist and VR for Research and International Affairs), as well as many JKU researchers and employees enjoyed exploring the world of quanta.

JKU Rector Stefan Koch: “Be it in a laser printer or a CD player, even if we cannot see quantum effects, they play a pivotal role in many of the technologies we use today, making it all the more important to promote base-knowledge research in this field and spark an interest among young people to pursue it. Anton Zeilinger's visit was not only inspirational, but also serves as an incentive as the JKU aims to continue contributing significantly to future advancements in quantum research.”

Some examples of quantum research at the JKU:

• Together with researchers from Cambridge, JKU researcher Armando Rastelli has used quantum dots to support more stable computer operations; this is a major step toward developing quantum computers.
• JKU researcher Richard Küng was awarded the European Union's 2023 ERC Starting Grant to continue pursuing quantum research.
• Together with other Austrian universities, the JKU is part of the Austrian Science Fund’s Cluster of Excellence, “Quantum Science Austria”, aimed at advancing base-knowledge research in the field of quanta.
• Alberta Bonanni, JKU physicist and Vice-Rector, conducts research mainly in the field of quantum materials, and has served as President of the Austrian Physical Society since the beginning of the year. She was awarded an ERC Advanced Grant in 2009.
• As part of the 2024 Ars Electronica Festival, a team of JKU researchers under the leadership of Johannes Kofler teamed up with artists to create a globally unique quantum concert titled “BruQner”.

Additional activities (including a series of events at the JKU Circus of Knowledge) are in planning to celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.