DTU Physics and DTU Electro: Lighting the Way for Quantum Photonics in Europe
Why Quantum Photonics - and Why Denmark?
Quantum photonics uses individual particles of light - photons - as carriers of quantum information. This field underpins game-changing applications in ultra-secure communication, ultra-fast computing, and ultra-sensitive sensors. And Denmark has set the stage for these applications to scale.
DTU is a cornerstone of Denmark’s thriving quantum ecosystem. With cutting-edge labs, globally recognised researchers, and deep integration into national and EU innovation programmes, DTU is an ideal partner for tech-driven companies looking for collaboration on joint research, pilot development, and new quantum technologies in photonics.
Key Centres and Projects Powering the Danish Quantum Leap
From pioneering quantum light sources to next-gen encryption networks, DTU’s ecosystem of quantum photonics projects are diverse and ambitious:
Record-Breaking Communication
SPOC (Silicon Photonics for Optical Communications), led by Leif Katsuo Oxenløwe, set records in high-dimensional quantum communication using silicon platforms.
Nano-Scale Innovation
NanoPhoton, centre led by Jesper Mørk, explores nanocavities for enhancing light-matter interaction with applications in information and quantum technology.Quantum State Engineering
BigQ, centre led by Ulrik Lund Andersen, has the objectives to generate, control, and detect macroscopic quantum states of optical and mechanical systems.
Quantum Meets Life Science
CBQS, a cross-institutional centre in collaboration with Niels Bohr Institute and supported by NNF, is developing innovative quantum sensors using diamond colour centres and entangled light for biomedical breakthroughs.
ERC Trailblazers
Fano Photonics and UNITY, ERC grants led by Jesper Mørk and Niels Gregersen, target new principles for single-photon sources.
Multi-Qubit Photonic Devices, ERC Grant by Nika Akopian, advances novel quantum dot platforms.
Quantum Networking & Cryptography
EQUAL, IFD Grand Solutions project led by Søren Stobbe, develops quantum light sources and ultra-low-power integrated photonics for quantum networks and photonic computing.
FIRE-Q, IFD Grand Solutions project supported by Michael Galili, achieved Denmark's first quantum key distribution field trial.
CyberQ and AccessQKD, IFD grants coordinated by Ulrik Lund Andersen and Tobias Gehring, which seeks to advance cybersecurity and bring quantum key distribution to the next level with continuous variable quantum cryptography.
European Power Projects
QPIC1550, EU Horizon led by Elizaveta Semenova, is driving advancements in Quantum Photonic Integrated Circuits (QPICs) at the pivotal 1550 nm wavelength.
PhotoQ, ClusterQ, TOPQC2X, CLUSTEC, and EPIQUE, IFD, ERC, EU Flagship and EU Horizon, respectively, coordinated by Niels Gregersen, Ulrik Lund Andersen, and Jonas Schou Neergaard-Nielsen, develop photonic quantum computing platforms.
And yes—DTU also contributes actively to the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Quantum Computing Programme, focusing on photonic qubits for scalable platforms.
Plug Into Denmark’s Quantum Ecosystem
What sets Denmark apart isn’t just our photonic prowess - it’s our openness. DTU and its research centres actively partner with international companies across sectors through:
- Innovation Fund Denmark (IFD)
- EU Horizon and Pathfinder
- European Research Council (ERC) grants
- Bilateral industry collaborations