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
Susana Huelga, U of Ulm
Barbara Kraus, TU Munich
Jan Philip Solovej, U of Copenhagen 
Nicola Spaldin,  ETH Zurich
Jürgen Renn, MPI-GEA Jena 
Reinhard Werner, Leibniz U Hannover

Poster

Coming soon.

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
Klaus Fredenhagen University of Hamburg
Juerg Froehlich ETH Zurich
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)