260084-1 VU Quantum Magnonics (2026S)

About the course

This graduate-level course, which is given by the University of Vienna Guest Professor Vasyl Tyberkevych from Oakland University, USA, is designed for students familiar with classical magnetism and magnonics who require a focused introduction to modern Quantum Information Science (QIS). The course’s central goal is to bridge existing students’ expertise with the language of well-established areas of quantum physics (quantum optics and quantum computing). This approach equips students with the necessary framework to critically analyze contemporary studies in quantum magnonics and to plan and execute their own research program.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
• Apply quantum methods to describe magnon dynamics
• Distinguish different quantum states (Fock, coherent, squeezed, etc.) of magnonic modes
• Analyze dynamics of coupled magnon-photon and magnon-qubit systems
• Describe and analyze various quantum effects (Rabi oscillations, two-magnon interference, etc.)
• Analyze and design simple quantum circuits
• Critically review and present contemporary research literature in the field
• Design a novel, scientifically sound research proposal for a quantum magnonics experiment

Public Lectures

Public Lecture 1

Magnonics: A New Frontier in the Second Quantum Revolution

The Second Quantum Revolution represents a fundamental shift from observing quantum ensembles to actively manipulating individual quantum states. While this era promises a transformation in computing, sensing, and communication, the primary challenge remains the creation of scalable architectures that can bridge the gap between stationary processors and mobile information carriers.
This lecture explores the emerging role of magnonics – the study of collective spin excitations (magnons) – as a vital pillar of this new technological era. We begin by reviewing the current landscape of quantum information science and the “interface bottleneck” facing existing platforms. We then introduce the unique properties of magnons that make magnetic materials like Yttrium Iron Garnet (YIG) so attractive. Finally, we discuss the quantum frontier of the field, examining how magnons can hybridize with superconducting qubits, photons, and phonons. By acting as a “universal glue” for hybrid systems, magnonics offers a promising path toward miniaturized, on-chip quantum transducers and the next generation of coherent information networks.

Tuesday, 03.03.2026, 12:45-14:45

Ludwig-Boltzmann-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien

Public Lecture 2

Cards, Entanglement, and the Nature of Reality

Take a deck of cards and draw one randomly, face down. Guess what color it is and look at it. Is it red? Now answer the question: Was the card red before you looked at it? You laugh and say: “Of course it was”. Are you sure? Can you prove it? In our everyday world, we take it for granted that objects have properties – colors, positions, orientations – regardless of whether we are watching them. We call this “Realism”. But as it turns out, the universe might not be as “real” as you think.
In this lecture, we will put reality on trial. Using a simple deck of cards and a few “spooky” rules of logic, we will explore the famous Bell’s Inequalities – the mathematical line in the sand that separates our intuitive classical world from the bizarre reality of quantum mechanics. We won’t just talk about the theory; we will perform a live experiment on a quantum computer located thousands of miles away to show that, for a qubit, the “color of the card” truly does not exist until the moment of measurement. Whether you are a student, a professor, or simply curious about why the 2022 Nobel Prize changed everything we know about space and time, come prepared to have your common sense challenged.

Tuesday, 24.03.2026, 12:45-14:45

Ludwig-Boltzmann-Hörsaal, Boltzmanngasse 5, EG, 1090 Wien