PeopleofSuperintelligence

Researcher

Wolfgang Dür

Wolfgang Dür is a theoretical physicist at the University of Innsbruck whose work in quantum information includes quantum repeaters, the W state, and measurement-based quantum computation. Born in Innsbruck in 1973, he studied physics and teacher training there, co-introduced the W state in a 2000 Physical Review A paper, and received a doctorate sub auspiciis praesidentis in 2001 under Ignacio Cirac. With Hans Briegel, Ignacio Cirac, and Peter Zoller, he developed quantum repeaters for long-distance quantum communication. A Marie Curie fellowship took him to Hans Briegel's group in Munich in 2001; from 2005 he worked at the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information, and in 2007 the Austrian Academy of Sciences awarded him the Felix Kuschenitz Prize. He completed his habilitation in 2008, became a full professor in 2023, and as of October 2026 he heads the Department of Theoretical Physics.

Works
212
Citations
20,236
h-index
60

Publication numbers from OpenAlex, as of 17 October 2026.

Timeline

  1. 1993–2000

    Physics studies in Innsbruck

    Born on 25 October 1973 in Innsbruck, he completes the upper grades and the Reifeprüfung with distinction at the Höhere Technische Bundeslehr- und Versuchsanstalt in Innsbruck. From 1993 to 2000 he studies physics and a teacher-training course in physics and mathematics.

  2. 2000

    Introducing the W state

    In 2000 his paper Three qubits can be entangled in two inequivalent ways appears in Physical Review A. He co-introduces the W state, a multipartite entangled state named after him. With Hans Briegel, Ignacio Cirac, and Peter Zoller, he provides a theoretical foundation for quantum repeaters, and Ignacio Cirac supervises the doctorate he earns in 2001.

  3. 2001

    A PhD and the repeater

    He completes a PhD at the University of Innsbruck in 2001. He is a co-founder of the quantum repeater. His research includes measurement-based quantum computation, multipartite entanglement, and quantum metrology.

  4. November 2001

    A sub auspiciis doctorate

    He receives the doctorate sub auspiciis praesidentis at the University of Innsbruck on 9 November 2001.

  5. 2001–2005

    A fellowship in Munich

    In 2001 he moves to Munich as a Marie Curie fellow in Hans Briegel's group. In 2005 he joins the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information of the Austrian Academy of Sciences in Innsbruck.

  6. 2007

    The Felix Kuschenitz Prize

    The Austrian Academy of Sciences awards him the Felix Kuschenitz Prize in 2007.

  7. 2008–2023

    Habilitation and a professorship

    He earns his habilitation at the University of Innsbruck in 2008, becomes responsible for teacher education there in 2011, and becomes a full professor in 2023. His research covers quantum networks, quantum metrology, and measurement-based quantum computation.

  8. As of October 2026

    Head of the department

    He is professor and head of the Department of Theoretical Physics at the University of Innsbruck, with the research group Quantum Communication and Quantum Networks.

Sources and credits

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  1. Bundespräsident ehrt kreativen Kopf – Universität Innsbruck uibk.ac.at. Checked 16 October 2026.
  2. Wolfgang Dür - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org. Checked 16 October 2026.
  3. Quantum communication and quantum networks uibk.ac.at. Checked 16 October 2026.
  4. Promotionen sub auspiciis praesidentis – Universität Innsbruck uibk.ac.at. Checked 16 October 2026.
  5. Felix Kuschenitz-Preis für Quantentheoretiker uibk.ac.at. Checked 16 October 2026.
  6. Felix Kuschenitz-Preis für Wolfgang Dür – IQOQI of the OEAW iqoqi.at. Checked 16 October 2026.
  7. Dür, Wolfgang – Universität Innsbruck uibk.ac.at. Checked 16 October 2026.
  8. Department of Theoretical Physics – Universität Innsbruck uibk.ac.at. Checked 16 October 2026.