Quantum physicist receives H.M. Queen Margrethe II’s Science Award
Peter Lodahl, Professor of quantum physics and quantum technology at the Niels Bohr Institute and Director of the Danish National Research Foundation’s Center for Hybrid Quantum Networks, is the recipient of this year’s Science Award from The Royal Academy for his pioneering basic research in experimental quantum optics.
On May 11, it is the 7th time that HM The Queen will present her Science Award. Founded by The Royal Academy, the award this year goes to the internationally renowned quantum physicist Peter Lodahl. He is Director of Hy-Q, Center for Hybrid Quantum Networks, and Group Leader of The Quantum Photonics Group, and he has conducted landmark research in the field of quantum optics, including the atom-photon interaction in solids. Lodahl has built up a large experimental research group that explores and develops completely new quantum hardware and has introduced a new research area to Denmark.
Lodahl is enormously honored by the award, but in the same breath emphasizes that experimental quantum physics is based on a team effort:
– “It is a great honor and joy to receive HM Queen Margrethe II’s Science Award. I perceive it as an amazing recognition of all the deeply dedicated, talented and original students, researchers, and colleagues with whom I have had the pleasure of exploring quantum physics,” says Peter Lodahl.
Lodahl’s research group is among the leaders in the world in a highly competitive field. This is partly due to the great breadth of the group’s work, including both fabrication, optical experiments, and theory.
– “Peter Lodahl’s research group has delivered many excellent results, most recently a deterministic one-photon light source able to implement a quantum algorithm that cannot be solved by even the largest of modern supercomputers. And as a supervisor and mentor, Lodahl has also helped build bridges and pave the way for a large number of other talents. It is quite incredible when you consider that just 17 years ago his research group started a completely new research area in Denmark. That is why Peter Lodahl is a very worthy recipient of HM Queen Margrethe II’s Science Award,” remarks Marie Louise Nosch, who as president of The Royal Academy has been involved in nominating Lodahl as the recipient of the award.
Queen Margrethe II’s Science Award will be presented by HM The Queen to Peter Lodahl at a ceremony at The Royal Academy on Wednesday, May 11, 2022.
Contact details
For press-related questions, please contact Royal Academy Communications Consultant Rikke Reinholdt Petersen at rp@royalacademy.dk or telephone +45 31 25 80 60. For questions regarding the event please contact academic staff member Birgit Olsen at bo@royalacademy.dk or telephone +45 31 49 06 02.
About Peter Lodahl
Lodahl has supervised 34 postdocs, 30 PhD students and even more MSc students. He has also published many highly cited articles as the lead author in journals such as Nature, Science and Physical Review Letters, and often participates as a speaker at international conferences. Lodahl has previously been awarded two ERC grants, a Center of Excellence grant from the Danish National Research Foundation and most recently, in 2021, a Novo Nordisk Challenge grant. Lodahl is also the recipient of the EliteForsk Award for 2016, and in 2015 he was the youngest Danish recipient of an Advanced Grant from the ERC. With his eye for putting research to practical industrial use, Peter Lodahl also founded the company Sparrow Quantum in 2016, and has so far obtained 6 patents in photonic quantum technology.
About HM Queen Margrethe II’s Science Award
The prize of DKK 100,000 is awarded once a year to an excellent Danish researcher under the age of 50, whose research is conducted within the sciences represented by The Royal Academy. The award was instituted by The Royal Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters in 2015 to mark the 75th birthday of the Academy patron, HM Queen Margrethe II. It is therefore awarded close to HM The Queen’s birthday. The award recipient is appointed by The Academy’s Presidium on the recommendation of Academy members. Previous award recipients are Lisbeth Imer, Anja Groth, Marie-Louise Nosch, Morten Heiberg, Bo Brummerstedt Iversen and Jens-Christian Svenning.
