With his groundbreaking experiments on quantum entanglement that captured worldwide attention, he pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible in physics. In recognition of his pioneering work, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Stockholm in 2022. On May 20, Anton Zeilinger celebrates his 80th birthday.

A Pioneer's Journey

Born in 1945 in Ried im Innkreis, Zeilinger studied physics and mathematics at the University of Vienna, where he earned his PhD in 1971. After a research stay at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), he completed his habilitation at TU Wien in 1979.

In 1990, he was appointed Professor of Experimental Physics at the University of Innsbruck, where his experiments on quantum entanglement laid the foundation for numerous later achievements. In 1999, Zeilinger moved to the University of Vienna, setting international standards with his pioneering experiments in quantum communication.

In 2003, together with colleagues, he founded the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), where he continues his research to this day. From 2013 to 2022, Zeilinger also served as President of the ÖAW.

Milestones of Quantum Research

Anton Zeilinger has played a defining role in shaping international fundamental research on quantum entanglement. As early as 1989, together with Daniel Greenberger and Michael Horne, he developed the so-called GHZ experiment—a milestone in understanding entanglement, which Erwin Schrödinger once described as the “essence of quantum physics.”

In 1997, Zeilinger achieved another breakthrough: the first successful quantum teleportation experiment. A year later came the transfer of entanglement to new particle systems—key insights explicitly cited by the 2022 Nobel Prize committee.

Zeilinger and his team continued pushing the limits of quantum teleportation experiments: first between Vienna’s Danube Island and the Prater, then extending to intercontinental transmissions between La Palma and Tenerife—and finally, in 2017, reaching space itself with the world’s first quantum-encrypted video call between Vienna and Beijing.

In Honor of His 80th Birthday

On this special occasion, Anton Zeilinger is congratulated by the four institutions most central to his academic career: the Austrian Academy of Sciences (ÖAW), TU Wien, and the Universities of Innsbruck and Vienna.

Heinz Faßmann, President of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, extends congratulations on behalf of the Academy:

“I send Anton Zeilinger my warmest congratulations on his birthday. Zeilinger looks back on an extraordinarily successful research career and, with the Nobel Prize in 2022, has reached the very summit of scientific achievement. But Zeilinger is not only an outstanding scientist and gifted communicator — he is also a tireless advocate for the recognition and support of fundamental research. I wish him a new year full of fresh ideas and insights, as well as plenty of time for his other passions, music and sailing.”

Sebastian Schütze, Rector of the University of Vienna, emphasizes:

“We warmly congratulate Anton Zeilinger on his milestone birthday. He has played a key role in making Austria one of the leading nations in quantum physics today. We owe him great gratitude for his decades-long commitment to fundamental research and for his dedication to science communication, bringing science and research closer to society — most recently with his wonderful program at the Musikverein. We are immensely proud of our Nobel laureate and wish him many more years of active engagement with his great passion and for advancing Austria as a hub of scientific excellence.”

Veronika Sexl, Rector of the University of Innsbruck, highlights Zeilinger’s impact:

“On behalf of the University of Innsbruck, I warmly congratulate Anton Zeilinger on his milestone birthday. His pioneering work at our university in the 1990s revolutionized quantum physics, profoundly shaped our understanding of the world, and laid the foundations for new technologies. We are proud to have been part of his remarkable scientific journey and wish him all the very best for the future!”

Jens Schneider, Rector of TU Wien, pays tribute to the Nobel laureate:

“Anton Zeilinger laid the foundations for his exceptional scientific career early on in Vienna. Through his groundbreaking experiments on quantum entanglement — researching neutrons at our Atominstitut — and his defining influence in quantum physics, he is today among Austria’s most distinguished scientists. His tireless curiosity and visionary imagination have continually redefined our understanding of nature’s laws and expanded the boundaries of what we thought possible. Zeilinger has not only left a lasting mark on TU Wien and his other institutions but has also played a decisive role in advancing top-level research in Austria and making it visible worldwide. For this, he deserves our deepest gratitude. On behalf of TU Wien, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Anton Zeilinger on his 80th birthday and wish him many more inspiring discoveries in the years to come.”