The World in One Line – Schrödinger’s Equation Turns 100

In 1926, Erwin Schrödinger published a series of seminal papers introducing the Schrödinger equation, the cornerstone of quantum mechanics. This partial differential equation governs the time evolution and stationary states of quantum systems, linking atomic and molecular structure to the behavior of condensed matter and enabling a wide range of modern technology—from semiconductors and lasers to magnetic resonance imaging and emerging quantum devices.

This two-day symposium marks the equation’s centenary and brings together leading international experts for twelve lectures spanning historical perspectives, foundational and mathematical aspects, and contemporary applications. Themes include advances in rigorous and computational methods, developments in quantum information, chemistry, and materials science, as well as open problems and future directions. The event is designed to engage both specialists and non-specialists, highlighting how a single equation reshaped our understanding of nature and continues to drive innovation a century later.

List of speakers

Markus Aspelmeyer, U of Vienna
Markus Arndt, U of Vienna­
Klaus Fredenhagen, U of Hamburg
Jürg Fröhlich, ETH Zurich
Leticia González, U of Vienna 
Eberhard Groß, Hebrew U Jerusalem
Beatrix Hiesmayr, U of Vienna
Barbara Kraus, TU Munich
Jan Philip Solovej, U of Copenhagen 
Jürgen Renn, MPI-GEA Jena 
Marianna Rossi, MPSD Hamburg

Poster

Jan. 22, 2026
09:10 — 09:20
Christoph Dellago (U of Vienna), Jakob Yngvason (U of Vienna)
Welcome and Opening
09:20 — 10:10
10:10 — 10:55
Coffee Break
11:45 — 12:35
12:35 — 14:00
Lunch Break - Common Room
14:00 — 14:50
14:50 — 15:35
Coffee Break
15:35 — 16:25
16:25 — 17:15
17:30 — 20:00
Reception
Jan. 23, 2026
09:30 — 10:20
10:20 — 11:05
Coffee Break
11:05 — 11:55
12:45 — 14:00
Lunch break - Common Room
14:50 — 15:35
Coffee Break
16:25 — 16:35
Concluding Remarks and Farewell

Organizers

Name Affiliation
Christoph Dellago University of Vienna
Wolfgang Reiter University of Vienna
Norbert Schuch University of Vienna
Jakob Yngvason University of Vienna

Attendees

Name Affiliation
Markus Arndt University of Vienna
Markus Aspelmeyer University of Vienna
Klaus Fredenhagen University of Hamburg
Stefan Fredenhagen University of Vienna
Jürg Fröhlich ETH Zurich
Leticia Gonzalez Herrero University of Vienna
Eberhard Gross Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Beatrix Hiesmayr University of Vienna
Barbara Kraus Technical University of Munich
Jürgen Renn Max Planck Institut of Geoanthropology, Jena
Mariana Rossi University of Cambridge
Klaus Schmidt University of Vienna
Jan Philip Solovej University of Copenhagen
Preview of Christoph Dellago & Jakob Yngvason - Welcome and Opening
Christoph Dellago (U of Vienna), Jakob Yngvason (U of Vienna): Welcome and Opening
Jan. 22, 2026 09:10 — 09:20
Preview of The Schrödinger equation and the periodic table of the elements
Jan Philip Solovej (U of Copenhagen): The Schrödinger equation and the periodic table of the elements
Jan. 22, 2026 09:20 — 10:10
Preview of Jürgen Renn - Schrödinger and the Long Quantum Revolution
Jürgen Renn (MPI GEA Jena): Schrödinger and the Long Quantum Revolution
Jan. 22, 2026 11:45 — 12:35
Preview of Klaus Fredenhagen - Quantum physics and the arrow of time
Klaus Fredenhagen (U Hamburg): Quantum physics and the arrow of time
Jan. 22, 2026 15:35 — 16:25
Preview of Markus Arndt - Universal Matter-Wave Interferometry
Markus Arndt (U of Vienna): Universal Matter-Wave Interferometry
Jan. 23, 2026 09:30 — 10:20
At a glance
Type:
Symposium
When:
Jan. 22, 2026 — Jan. 23, 2026
Where:
ESI Boltzmann Lecture Hall
Organizer(s):
Christoph Dellago (U of Vienna)
Wolfgang Reiter (U of Vienna)
Norbert Schuch (U of Vienna)
Jakob Yngvason (U of Vienna)