About us

The Department of Experimental Physics is part of Faculty of Mathematics, Computer Science and Physics at the Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck and is located on the Technology Campus in the west of Innsbruck.

Our success story began in 1742 with the founding of an "armarium" of physical instruments. One of the highlights of the equipment still preserved from this period is the astronomical clock, which Empress Maria Theresa donated to the institute in 1776. But this is by no means the only treasure to be found in our Museum.

Today, our institute mainly conducts basic experimental research in the fields of quantum information, spectroscopy, quantum optics, cold atoms, quantum gases, solid state physics, photonics and superconducting quantum circuits.

The infrastructure on site is essential for our excellence in research. Our specialists in the electronics laboratory and in the mechanical workshop enable us to develop electronic assemblies in the field of analogue and digital technology and to manufacture specific precision mechanical components in close cooperation with the researchers. The clean room, vacuum room and student workshops are used by researchers on an ongoing basis and the Quantum Nano Centre Tyrol (QNZT), which is operated in cooperation with the IQOQI, provides us with another state-of-the-art clean room.

As the University of Innsbruck, education and the transfer of up-to-date knowledge are our main concerns. Together with the other physics institutes (Astrophysics and astroparticle physics, Ion and applied physics and Theoretical physics), we supervise physics students in the Bachelor's, Master's and PhD programmes. With our extensive collection of lectures and practical courses, we are primarily responsible for the practical courses, in which students are taught the principles of experimentation, and the experimental teaching in lectures.