Peter Lodahl builds bridges between research and business. With Sparrow Quantum, he has made Denmark a frontrunner in quantum technology and given Europe a technological edge in a globally strategic sector.
Professor Peter Lodahl from the Niels Bohr Institute at the University of Copenhagen has dedicated his career to one of quantum physics’ most fundamental questions: How can light and matter learn to communicate – and can that conversation be used to create a new generation of technologies?
The answer emerged after decades of ground-breaking research. Lodahl and his team developed the world’s most precise single-photon source – a microscopic chip-based system capable of emitting photons one at a time with extraordinary accuracy. This technology is essential for building quantum computers and secure communication networks where information can be transmitted without any risk of eavesdropping.
In 2016, Lodahl took the step from research to business and founded Sparrow Quantum, where he now serves as Chief Quantum Officer. Here, he transformed his research into a concrete product: the leading single-photon chip on the market. The company has been recognized as a key technology partner in the EU’s Chips Act and has raised €27.5 million to scale up production and expand its development capacity.
Lodahl’s vision extends far beyond his own company. He works tirelessly to build a European quantum ecosystem where knowledge is shared and collaboration replaces competition. As research leader for two national centres and author of more than 160 scientific articles, he has educated and inspired an entire generation of quantum researchers.
