The University of Innsbruck is coordinating a new FWF special research area on the dark universe, which seeks answers to the biggest questions in modern cosmology. The University of Innsbruck is also involved in the new special research area on quantum systems of neutral atoms. The Austrian Science Fund (FWF) is funding the networks over a period of four years with around €4 million each.
One of the main goals of the special research area "Dark Universe Explorations" is to learn more about dark matter and dark energy in the universe. "Together, these invisible components make up 95% of the energy of the universe, but their respective physical nature is still largely unknown," explains Tim Schrabback, speaker of the new research network from the Department of Astro- and Particle Physics at the University of Innsbruck. Neither dark matter nor dark energy can be observed directly. Indirectly, however, they leave signatures, for example in the distributions and properties of galaxies, as well as in tiny distortions of the observed galaxy shapes due to the gravitational lensing effect. "Comparing galaxy observations with theoretical models can therefore shed light on the dark universe," says Tim Schrabback.
The project team is using observational data from two new space telescopes: The European Space Agency's (ESA) Euclid mission launched in July 2023 and is expected to deliver razor-sharp images of more than a third of the night sky by the end of the decade. The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) , a joint project between ESA, NASA, and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), allows scientists to look deep into the past of the universe in small areas of the sky.
The "Dark UNiverse Explorations (DUNE)" SFB team. From left to right: Oliver Hahn (University of Vienna), Laila Linke (University of Innsbruck), Sebastian Grandis (University of Innsbruck), Francine Marleau (University of Innsbruck), Sylvia Ploeckinger (University of Vienna), Tim Schrabback (University of Innsbruck), and Jorryt Matthee (ISTA).
Building quantum simulators
Quantum simulators could be used in the future to investigate complex phenomena that are difficult or impossible for classical computers to access. Ultracold atoms and molecules play an important and promising role in the development of such applications: in current experiments, they can already be manipulated individually and precisely with laser light at extremely low temperatures and thus assembled into large architectures according to a modular principle.
In order to fully exploit this potential, it will be necessary to achieve a high degree of networking and quantum mechanical entanglement of many particles, even those that are far apart. This is precisely the goal of the new Collaborative Research Network "Highly Connected Quantum Systems of Neutral Atoms," in which Hannes Bernien, Francesca Ferlaino, and Hannes Pichler from the University of Innsbruck and the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information in Innsbruck are participating. The scientists from the fields of theory and experiment are working together in an interdisciplinary manner at the intersection of atomic physics, quantum optics, and many-body theory. With the realization and investigation of quantum systems that are now becoming experimentally accessible for the first time, the planned cooperation promises not only a deeper understanding of novel states of matter, but also practical breakthroughs in the field of quantum technology.
Establishing strong research networks
Approximately €4 million will be available for the new research networks over the next four years. Following a successful evaluation, the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) will extend the funding for a further four years. With its special research areas, the FWF aims to establish exceptionally productive, closely networked research units to tackle long-term, complex research topics. The funding for the program comes from the Future Fund of Austria.
