Institutions

Nรธrregade 10
Copenhagen, Capital Region 1165
Denmark

Summary: The Niels Bohr Institute (NBI) at the University of Copenhagen is a legendary quantum physics institution with world-class quantum sensing activities. Key groups: Schliesser (optomechanics โ€” world-leading squeezed-light optomechanics, quantum-noise-limited sensing); Polzik (atomic quantum memory, atom-light interfaces, quantum-enhanced gravitational wave sensing โ€” direct astronomical relevance); Andersen/Neergaard-Nielsen (CV quantum optics for sensing); NBI Astrophysics (dark matter, CMB instrumentation). NBI is exceptional for both quantum sensing in biology (via optomechanics, quantum-noise-limited force sensing) and astronomy (LIGO-related quantum optics, CMB detectors, dark matter). Strongly recommended.

Notes: Legendary quantum physics institution. Niels Bohr Institute (NBI) hosts world-class groups: Schliesser (optomechanics, squeezed light), Polzik (quantum memory, atom-light, GW sensing), Andersen (CV quantum optics). NBI Astrophysics group strong in dark matter and CMB. Close collaboration with DTU Fotonik. Active in European Quantum Flagship.

Warnings: Outstanding dual-domain institution: Schliesser and Polzik groups are globally among the very best for quantum-noise-limited sensing with direct relevance to both biological force sensing and astronomical gravitational wave detection. Highly recommended for candidates with interdisciplinary interests.

Department(s)/lab(s): Physics / Niels Bohr Institute | Copenhagen Center for Biomedical Quantum Sensing (CBQS) @ UCPH
Summary:

Jean-Baptiste Bรฉguin's research at QUANTOP centers on optical nanofibre-trapped atom interfaces for quantum memories and quantum networks. Research: (1) nanofibre-trapped cold Cs atoms โ€” quantum noise spectroscopy of atom-light spin coupling; (2) single-photon storage and retrieval from nanofibre-guided modes; (3) sub-Poissonian atom loading. Key direction in CBQS center for quantum sensing via coherent atom-photon interfaces.

Department(s)/lab(s): Physics / Niels Bohr Institute | BendixLab โ€” Biophotonics & Mechanobiology @ UCPH
Summary:

Poul Martin Bendix (Associate Professor, BendixLab/NBI) investigates physical properties of living cells using advanced optical techniques. Research: (1) optical tweezers for mechanosensing โ€” GPCR mechanosensing with picoNewton force resolution, membrane curvature sensing by proteins (annexins, BAR-domain proteins); (2) thermoplasmonics โ€” gold nanoparticle laser heating for controlled membrane microsurgery, cell fusion, and plasma membrane repair; (3) single-molecule biophysics โ€” DNA-protein interactions using 4-trap optical tweezers (LUMICKS C-Trap) with STED imaging; (4) filopodia dynamics โ€” twist and rotation of actin filaments; (5) Brillouin microscopy for cell mechanics; (6) COBM center management. GPCRmec consortium (Novo Nordisk). 2026 BPS Annual Meeting featured.

Department(s)/lab(s): Physics / Niels Bohr Institute | Copenhagen Center for Biomedical Quantum Sensing (CBQS) @ UCPH
Summary:

Tulio Brito Brasil focuses on multimode quantum optics, squeezed and entangled states of light, and their application for quantum sensing and communication. Research: (1) generation of two-colour high-purity EPR photonic states; (2) squeezed light for quantum noise reduction in measurement; (3) continuous variable quantum optics protocols for networks. Recently joined QUANTOP at NBI.

Techniques:
Department(s)/lab(s): Physics / Niels Bohr Institute | Membrane Biophysics Group (Heimburg) @ UCPH
Summary:

Thomas Heimburg (Professor, NBI Membranes group) works on thermodynamics and biophysics of biological membranes. Research: (1) theory of nerve pulse propagation as electromechanical solitons ('soliton model'); (2) lipid membrane phase transitions โ€” calorimetry, DSC, AFM; (3) anesthesia mechanism via membrane phase perturbation; (4) ion-channel-like events in pure lipid membranes near phase transitions. Notably co-authored 2016 Scientific Reports paper with QUANTOP (Jensen et al.) demonstrating non-invasive detection of nerve impulses using atomic magnetometry โ€” direct overlap with quantum sensing.

Department(s)/lab(s): Physics / Niels Bohr Institute | Quantum Photonics Group (Lodahl Lab) @ UCPH
Summary:

Peter Lodahl's Quantum Photonics Group develops deterministic photon-emitter interfaces using semiconductor quantum dots embedded in photonic nanostructures (nanowires, photonic crystal waveguides). Research targets: single-photon sources with near-unity efficiency and indistinguishability; spin-photon interfaces for quantum repeaters; integrated quantum photonic circuits; and quantum networks based on single emitters. The group leads the Hy-Q Centre for Hybrid Quantum Networks and holds several quantum technology patents and spin-out companies. Borderline case โ€” primarily quantum photonics for networking but with quantum sensing applications (single photon sensing, spin-photon).

Department(s)/lab(s): Physics / Niels Bohr Institute | Quantum Optoelectronic Devices Group (Midolo) @ UCPH
Summary:

Leonardo Midolo develops III-V optoelectronic quantum devices at NBI. Research: (1) nanomechanical quantum photonic integrated circuits (NOEMS) โ€” GaAs waveguide phase shifters, routers, and switches for single-photon routing; (2) heterogeneous integration of quantum dot emitters on silicon and SiN platforms; (3) quantum key distribution with deterministic single-photon sources over field-installed dark fibre. Group established 2022; Beamfox spinout for proximity correction.

Department(s)/lab(s): Physics / Niels Bohr Institute | Quantum Metrology Group (Mรผller Lab) @ UCPH
Summary:

Jรถrg Mรผller's Quantum Metrology group works on next-generation optical atomic clocks and superradiant lasers. Key experiments: cold strontium continuous superradiant laser (subnatural linewidth, pushing beyond traditional clock limitations); microresonator-based frequency combs; ultra-stable optical reference cavities; and cavity QED many-atom systems for clocks and sensing. The group is part of the EU iqClock project targeting operational optical lattice clocks.

Department(s)/lab(s): Physics / Niels Bohr Institute | Quantum Photonics Group (Lodahl/Paesani) @ UCPH
Summary:

Stefano Paesani works on photonic quantum information processing and quantum sensing. Research: (1) silicon quantum photonic integrated circuits for quantum computing and measurement; (2) boson sampling and quantum advantage with photons; (3) quantum sensing using photonic cluster states. Recently joined Lodahl group at NBI as associate professor.

Department(s)/lab(s): Physics / Niels Bohr Institute | QUANTOP โ€“ Quantum Optics Center (Polzik Lab) @ UCPH
Summary:

Eugene Polzik's QUANTOP centre uses hot and ultracold atomic spin ensembles and mechanical membranes to generate squeezed, entangled, and single-photon states for quantum sensing and communication. Key directions include: (1) atomic magnetometry and electromagnetic induction imaging for biomedical applications (MEG/MCG-quality sensors); (2) entanglement between a macroscopic mechanical oscillator and an atomic spin ensemble; (3) quantum memory for light; (4) back-action-evading measurement schemes beyond the SQL; and (5) optical preamplification for MRI. QUANTOP heads the Copenhagen Center for Biomedical Quantum Sensing (CBQS), targeting quantum-enhanced disease diagnostics.

Department(s)/lab(s): Physics / Niels Bohr Institute | Quantum Metrology Group (Schรคffer/Mรผller) @ UCPH
Summary:

Stefan Schรคffer leads the Quantum Metrology group at NBI together with Jรถrg Mรผller. Research focuses on superradiant strontium lasers: (1) quasi-continuous superradiant lasing with sub-natural linewidth; (2) Ramsey spectroscopy enhanced by cavity sub-to-superradiant phase transitions for improved atomic clock sensing; (3) continuous atom beam for Dicke-effect-free superradiant interrogation. Key work published in PRL (2023) and Nature Communications (2024). Part of EU iqClock and ESA collaborations.