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University of Innsbruck


A quantum lab for molecules

Scientists have developed a technique to measure the spectrum of a single molecule without destroying it. By using quantum information processing, they were able to detect the absorption of individual photons and identify a characteristic molecular vibration. This breakthrough enables precise spectroscopy of complex molecules and paves...

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 26, 2026

Choice of tree species affects urban air quality

Researchers found that certain tree species, such as weeping willow and Chinese white poplar, emit high levels of isoprene, a key contributor to ozone formation. By selecting low-emitting tree species, cities can reduce isoprene emissions and mitigate ozone formation, particularly during heatwaves.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateAug 19, 2026

Quantum simulators get error bars

Researchers have developed an approach to quantify the errors in quantum simulators, allowing for more accurate calculations and enabling the study of complex many-particle systems. The new method was tested on a system of ten ions and then applied to a chain of 51 ions, demonstrating its effectiveness for larger systems.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2026

Field tests: Clearing aisle islands boosts sales

A study by University of Innsbruck researchers found that removing secondary product displays in crowded supermarket aisles increases sales by 11.5% due to increased browsing and interactions. Shopping carts amplify the negative effects, making narrow aisles feel tighter and reducing perceived control.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPLOS One·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2026

Heat as a turbo-boost for immune cells

Researchers discover that temperature affects immune cell movement and efficiency, with Myosin II playing a key role in regulating cellular thermo-adaptability. The study finds that increased temperature leads to faster immune cell migration and a higher number of cells entering lymphatic vessels.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalDevelopmental Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2025

Supersolid spins into synchrony

Researchers discovered that supersolid matter synchronizes its spin and rotation under external magnetic fields, enabling the study of exotic quantum behavior. The findings provide a powerful tool for probing quantum systems and may hold implications for understanding cosmic phenomena like neutron star glitches.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

Powerful nodes for quantum networks

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have demonstrated a powerful node for quantum networks using a string of calcium ions in a prototype computer. The node achieved an average ion-photon entanglement fidelity of 92 percent, paving the way for connecting entire quantum processors across laboratories or continents.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2025

New technique improves multi-photon state generation

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have demonstrated a new technique to generate high-quality two-photon states from quantum dots using stimulated two-photon excitation. The approach sidesteps limitations of traditional methods, including expensive and loss-inducing electronic components.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·Journalnpj Quantum Information·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2025

Molecules in motion

An international team of scientists organized a competition to evaluate analytical tools for single-molecule motion analysis, with the goal of extracting meaningful insights from complex molecular trajectories. The results offer practical guidance for experimentalists seeking the right tools for their studies.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Communications·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJul 23, 2025

Keeping the photon in the dark

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have developed a versatile method to control dark excitons in semiconductor quantum dots using chirped laser pulses and magnetic fields. This allows for the storage and manipulation of excitons, enabling new opportunities for quantum memory control and entangled photon pair generation.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 9, 2025

Hot Schrödinger cat states created

Scientists from University of Innsbruck successfully created hot Schrödinger cat states at temperatures up to 1.8 Kelvin, challenging the notion that high temperature destroys quantum effects. This breakthrough opens new opportunities for quantum technologies in warmer environments.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 4, 2025

Calculating error-free more easily with two codes

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have developed a method to switch between two error correction codes in an error-tolerant manner, making it easier to implement all required gates for computing. This breakthrough enables the quantum computer to efficiently suppress errors and improve calculation accuracy.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 24, 2025

Quantum vortices confirm superfluidity in supersolid

A team of physicists has observed mini-tornadoes in a supersolid quantum gas, confirming the existence of quantized vortices as a hallmark of superfluidity. The discovery is significant for understanding the behavior of supersolids and their potential applications in fields like condensed matter physics.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 6, 2024

Study: One-time cooperation decisions unaffected by increased benefits to society

A new study found that individuals' willingness to cooperate in one-time situations is remarkably stable, regardless of the potential benefits. Across two experiments involving over 2,000 participants, the researchers found no significant change in cooperation rates when benefits were increased.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2024

How AI helps programming a quantum computer

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck developed a novel method using diffusion models to generate quantum circuits. The model can produce accurate and flexible circuits, including those tailored to specific quantum hardware connections.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 21, 2024

Network of quantum sensors boosts precision

Physicists have developed a method to make quantum signals accessible again by analyzing simultaneous changes in states of multiple sensors. This approach enables precise measurement of magnetic field variations and distance between sensors, outperforming entanglement-based methods.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review X·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 4, 2024

Observing macroscopic quantum effects in the dark

Researchers from the University of Innsbruck propose an experiment to observe macroscopic quantum effects in a dark potential created by electrostatic or magnetic forces. By letting a cooled nanoscale glass sphere evolve in this non-optical environment, they aim to rapidly generate a macroscopic quantum superposition state.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 10, 2024

Quantum tool opens door to uncharted phenomena

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have developed a new approach to study entanglement in quantum materials. By using a quantum simulator with 51 particles, they were able to extract information about the existing entanglement with drastically fewer measurements than previously thought possible.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2023

Interacting polarons

Scientists generate multiple quasiparticles simultaneously in a quantum gas and observe their complex interactions, including attractive and repulsive behavior. Quantum statistics plays a crucial role in these interactions, which are essential for understanding fundamental mechanisms of nature.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 26, 2023

El Niño's chang­ing pat­terns: Human influ­ence on nat­u­ral vari­abil­ity

Two new studies suggest that human-induced climate change is now a dominant factor in shaping El Niño patterns. The research reveals that the 'Walker switch' mechanism, triggered by changes in solar radiation, instigates swift adjustments in sea-surface temperatures, influencing climate patterns globally.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 19, 2023

Sci­en­tists develop fermionic quan­tum pro­ces­sor

Researchers have designed a new type of quantum computer that uses fermionic atoms to simulate complex physical systems. The processor can efficiently simulate fermionic models in a hardware-efficient manner using fermionic gates, making it ideal for simulating systems where fermionic statistics play a crucial role.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 23, 2023

Lasting environmental protection through monetary incentives

A recent study by Esther Blanco found that landowners in Colombia continued to protect their ecosystems even after receiving payments for ecosystem services ended. This challenges the concern that monetary incentives can displace original motivations for environmental protection, known as the 'crowding out effect'.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalJournal of Environmental Economics and Management·TypeSurvey·DateAug 9, 2023

The carbon cycle is speeding up

A recent study found that warming in Northern ecosystems leads to a massive loss of carbon in the soil, with up to 40% released into the atmosphere within years after warming. The research team also discovered that plant productivity becomes nitrogen limited under warming conditions, reducing the ecosystem's ability to store carbon.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalGlobal Change Biology·TypeObservational study·DateJul 18, 2023

Boost for the quantum internet

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have created a fully functioning quantum repeater node, enabling entanglement creation and swapping over 50 kilometers. This breakthrough demonstrates the feasibility of connecting distant cities through secure, high-performance quantum communication networks.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2023

Quan­tum com­puter in reverse gear

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have developed reversible parity gates for integer factorization using quantum computers. This breakthrough enables the solution of a crucial pillar of cryptography, allowing for faster and more efficient factorization.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalCommunications Physics·DateMay 4, 2023

Two qudits fully entangled

The team successfully entangled two qudits with unprecedented performance, enabling faster and more robust quantum computing. This breakthrough could lead to significant advancements in fields like chemistry and physics.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 20, 2023

Quantum liquid becomes solid when heated

Researchers have discovered a new phase of matter where a quantum liquid becomes solid when heated. The breakthrough was achieved through a collaboration between experimentalists and theoretical physicists, who developed a model that explains the formation of a quantum crystal at finite temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 18, 2023

Stow­aways in the genome

Researchers found over 30,000 unknown viruses integrated into the DNA of single-celled eukaryotic organisms, including algae and human parasites. These 'virophages' may protect their hosts from giant virus infections by reprogramming them to build virophages.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 10, 2023

Two-dimensional quantum freeze

Researchers from ETH Zurich have achieved groundbreaking cooling of a glass nanoparticle along two directions of motion, overcoming the 'Dark Mode Effect'. This breakthrough enables the creation of fragile quantum states and paves the way for ultrasensitive gyroscopes and sensors.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2023

Quantum chemistry: Molecules caught tunneling

Scientists at the University of Innsbruck have successfully measured tunneling reactions in molecular chemistry, confirming a precise theoretical model. The experiment used hydrogen and deuterium isotopes to demonstrate the quantum mechanical tunnel effect in a slow ion-molecule reaction.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 1, 2023

Tracing the origin of life

Researchers discover abiotic peptide chain formation from glycine in space conditions, shedding light on the origin of life. The study shows that small clusters of glycine molecules exhibit polymerization upon energy input.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry A·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2023

Entangled atoms across the Innsbruck quantum network

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have successfully entangled two trapped ions separated by 230 meters, using photons transmitted through an optical fiber cable. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential of trapped ions as a platform for building future quantum networks and distributed computing systems.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2023

Blast chiller for the quantum world

Physicists at the University of Innsbruck have demonstrated a new nonlinear cooling method, allowing massive objects to be cooled to nearly absolute zero. This breakthrough enables the observation of quantum effects on macroscopic objects, paving the way for highly sensitive quantum sensors.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 18, 2023

Heat and cold as health hazards

Recent studies investigate heat waves and cold exposure on the cardiovascular system, revealing physiological responses that can lead to cardiovascular problems. Mild heat waves cause an increase in core temperature, skin blood flow, and vascular resistance, while mild cold exposure causes a similar rise in blood pressure.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 20, 2022

Ultra-cold mini twisters

Scientists at the University of Innsbruck have developed a new method to observe and study ultra-cold mini twisters, quantized vortices that form in dipolar quantum gases. These vortices are a strong indication of superfluidity, a frictionless flow characteristic of certain quantum gases.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2022

New form of universal quantum computers

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have developed a new architecture for universal quantum computers using parity-based qubits. This design reduces the complexity of implementing complex algorithms while also offering hardware-efficient error correction.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 28, 2022

Cli­mate change threat­ens ice caves in Aus­tria

Researchers analyzed eight ice caves in Tyrol, Styria, Upper Austria, and Carinthia, finding a decline in ice mass over the past 2000 years due to human-induced climate change. The study mirrors the evolution of glaciers during the Late Holocene period, with significant consequences for these underground ice formations.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 8, 2022