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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.