Innsbruck, a city known for its stunning mountain vistas, is also a world-leading center for quantum research. The ORF documentary “Die Zukunft beginnt jetzt – Innsbruck im Zentrum der Quantenforschung” (May 18. 2025) takes viewers on a journey through the city’s scientific evolution — from cosmic rays in the 1930s to cutting-edge quantum networks today.
The beginning: Cosmic rays on the Haferlekar (1930s)
The story of Innsbruck’s rise as a research hub began in the 1930s when physicist Viktor Franz Hess conducted experiments on cosmic radiation at the Haferlekar Mountain. His work laid the groundwork for a scientific tradition that continues to this day.
Laying the quantum foundations (1990s)
The 1990s marked a turning point for quantum science in Innsbruck. Anton Zeilinger, Rainer Blatt, and Peter Zoller joined the University of Innsbruck, bringing with them groundbreaking work in quantum mechanics. Their research on entanglement and superposition garnered international recognition and established Innsbruck as a global quantum hub.
Present day: Quantum discoveries and unexpected phenomena
Today, Innsbruck is home to a thriving community of quantum scientists and start-ups, all pushing the boundaries of what quantum technology can achieve.
At the University of Innsbruck and Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI), researchers like Francesca Ferlaino and her team are exploring ultracold quantum gases, studying states of matter that exist nowhere else in nature. Her work exemplifies the spirit of exploration and the unpredictable nature of scientific discovery:
“A new state of matter, something that doesn't exist in everyday life. Not solid, not liquid, not gaseous, but everything at the same time. You won't find the research we do in a textbook.”
Ferlaino describes a moment of unexpected discovery, when her team initially dismissed a strange atomic image as a technical error — only to realize they had observed a new quantum phenomenon:
“It was as if we were in an escape room and had to find the key to move on.”
Quantum start-ups: Bridging research and industry
Innsbruck’s quantum research community is not just advancing science; it’s also driving the growth of high-tech start-ups. One of these is Alpine Quantum Technologies (AQT), a company developing room-temperature quantum computers based on trapped ions.
For Thomas Monz, co-founder of AQT, each step forward has the potential to reshape the entire quantum field:
“At the moment, every progress in the quantum field is something that pushes the whole field forward.”
The future: Quantum communication networks
The Haferlekar Mountain is once again set to play a key role in Innsbruck’s scientific future. Researchers plan to install a quantum telescope, capable of sending and receiving light particles to communicate with satellites. This ambitious project could lay the groundwork for a global quantum communication network, connecting Innsbruck’s quantum labs with the rest of the world.
A new era in quantum science
For Anton Zeilinger, who has been at the forefront of Innsbruck’s quantum revolution, the real impact of quantum research extends far beyond new devices or gadgets:
“What is it that we can know at all? Where are the limits? And I am convinced that we are facing a revolution - but a fundamental revolution, not a technological one.”
Quantum Science Austria – Supporting innovation and discovery
At Quantum Science Austria, we are proud to be part of this thriving research landscape, providing funding and support for creative and innovative minds in quantum science. By enabling groundbreaking projects, we aim to keep Austria at the forefront of quantum research — and to push the boundaries of what we can know and achieve.
Watch the full documentary here.
