Aurora thematic school on quantum photonics
It is a great pleasure to announce the Aurora Quantum School Innsbruck: Recent Advancements in Quantum Photonics (AQUARiQ) 2026, at University of Innsbruck, Austria, on 07-10 September 2026.
AQUARiQ 2026 is the first in a series of thematic schools hosted by member universities of the Aurora European Universities Alliance, featuring the traditional combination of lectures, poster session, and lab tours to provide a well-rounded educational experience. The program is complemented by an industry showcase with partner booths and live demonstrations.
Scope of the School
This school offers master’s and PhD students — and may also include early-career postdocs — a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in quantum science and technology.
It will cover selected topics in greater depth:
- Theoretical foundations of quantum optics
- Fundamentals of light–matter interaction
- Quantum light sources
- Quantum metrology and sensing
- Quantum cryptography
- Quantum computing platforms
- Applications of deep learning in quantum optics and photonics
Invited speakers (in alphabetical order)
- Experimental tests of fundamental quantum physics (Gregor Weihs)
- Precision quantum metrology and sensing in trapped ions for fundamental physics applications (Laura Driessen)
- From light to knowledge: Sensing with photonic and neural networks (Miroslav Ježek)
- Quantum photonics with structured light (Filippo Cardano)
- Engineering highly nonclassical states of light for applications in optical quantum information processing (Jaromir Fiurášek)
- Continuous-variable quantum communication (Vladyslav Usenko)
- Quantum Optics with Superconducting circuits (Gerhard Kirchmair)
- Quantum science with Rydberg atom arrays (Hannes Pichler)
- Optics of quantum microcavities and other nanophotonic structures (Ivan Shelykh)
- Quantum Dots as Artificial Atoms (Axel Lorke)
The Values of Innovation: on the ethics, governance, and regulation of quantum technologies (Matthias C. Kettemann)
We are providing a shuttle to Campus Technik for the Lab Tours. Campus Technik is home to the Faculties of Architecture, Biology, Engineering Sciences, and Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics (MIP), and is located west of the city centre near Innsbruck Airport.
Labs at Technikerstraße 25 conduct frontier experiments in quantum information, quantum optics, cold atoms/quantum gases, photonics, solid-state physics, and superconducting quantum circuits.
A leading research institute at Campus Technik (Technikerstraße 21a) focusing on theoretical and experimental quantum optics and quantum information, including topics such as trapped-ion and neutral-atom quantum computing, many-body quantum optics, superconducting circuits, and quantum gases.
Conference Dinner
Social Activity
For more details, see the program here.
Registration will be opened soon.
History meets Science
The school takes place on the Universitätsstraße Campus in the heart of Innsbruck, inside the University’s first building opened in 1776.
Karl-Rahner-Platz 3
6020 Innsbruck, Austria
When driving to Innsbruck from the west (Switzerland, Vorarlberg) or the east (Salzburg, Munich), use the A 12 interstate. Exit the interstate at Innsbruck West. This will lead you onto Egger-Lienz Strasse. Continue in the left lane past the intersection at Innerkoflerstrasse and towards the university hospital. Stay straight until you reach Innrain. Take a right onto Innrain and follow it past the Altstadt (old city) on your right. Approximately 150 meters past the old city take a right onto Herrengasse, a one-way street. At the end on this street you will find yourself facing the theater. Directly behind the theatre is the campus. Park in the parking garage on your left.
When traveling by train, get off at the main station called Innsbruck Hauptbahnhof. From there take either a taxi or walk as follows: Exit the main station and take a right until you meet Museumstrasse. Take a left onto Museumstrasse. Take your first right onto Sillgasse. Follow the street past the first cross-road and you will be in the courtyard of the campus. This walk takes approximately 10 minutes.
Take the „F“ bus, departing directly outside the airport, to the stop called Landesmuseum. From there take your first right onto Angerzellgasse. Follow the street until you reach Universitätsstrasse. Take a right onto Universitätsstrasse. The campus will be on the left side.
MEAL VOUCHERS — SOWI LOUNGE
Participants can use meal vouchers at SOWI LOUNGE. It is an on-campus dining venue with a daily lunch menu (“Menüplan”) and a casual cafeteria setting (vegetarian and vegan options available). Menus are posted on infodesk and online.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS (Self-paid)
Participants who choose an alternative option are responsible for their own meal costs (no reimbursement). There are many restaurants within a short walk of Universitätsstraße Campus. The list below is only a brief overview.
Vegan | vegetarian cuisine
Austrian | European cuisine
Social dinner will take place at hotel’s Restaurant Sailer well-known for Tyrolean dishes, Austrian classics and selected international specialities.
Discover the real Innsbruck
We will offer a non-traditional guided experience. We will combine a few iconic highlights with lesser-known corners, short stories, and scenic viewpoints, with plenty of time for informal conversation and taking in the atmosphere.
The Innsbruck is located in Tyrol in the heart of the Austrian Alps. Known worldwide as a winter sports destination, it also offers a calm and inspiring alpine setting in summer, with easy access to mountain trails, panoramic views, and a vibrant historic centre that makes it both compact and enjoyable to explore.
We have reserved a sufficient number of rooms at four partner hotels for participants. The special rate is time-limited and only valid untilthe booking deadline listed for each hotel.
6020 Innsbruck
Codeword: AQUARIQ 2026
Codeword: AQUARIQ 2026
Deadline: 6.07.2025
Deadline: 27.07.2026
Deadline: 31.07.2025
Deadline 04.08.2026
!!!please book as early as possible to secure the discount!!!
Nearest airports to Innsbruck in Austria *
Innsbruck Airport (INN) approx. 3 km
Airport Bolzano (BZO) approx. 89 km
Memmingen International Airport (FMM) approx. 118 km
Munich Airport (MUC) approx. 125 km
Salzburg W. A. Mozart Airport (SZG) approx. 134 km
Treviso Airport (TSF) approx. 189 km
Frankfurt Airport (FRA) approx. 373 km
* Distances calculated in a straight line. The distance by car may be longer.
Organizers
Local organizers (University of Innsbruck, Austria):
Partners:
Filippo Cardano (Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Italy)
Contact
Technikerstrasse 25 d
6020 Innsbruck
Austria
Email: aquariq2026@uibk.ac.at