Peter Lodahl, professor of quantum physics and quantum technology at the Niels Bohr Institute, has worked his entire life to research on in experimental quantum optics. This week he received his grandest award so far when Queen Margrethe II of Denmark awarded him with her own science prize.
Peter Lodahl is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Queen Margrethe II’s Science Prize. In 2015, the Royal Danish Society of Sciences established the science prize on the occasion of the Society’s patron Queen Margrethe’s 75th birthday. It is the first prize ever in the Danish Queen’s own name.
Queen Margrethe presented the award during a ceremony in Copenhagen this week. Her Majesty was solemnly received by members of the Royal Danish Society of Sciences. She received flowers before the ceremony where she herself presented the prize to the winner.
The Queen of Denmark did not make a public statement or speech in connection with the award, but the prize winner said a few words directed to Margrethe when he received the award. Peter Lodahl said: “It is a great honour and pleasure to receive the Queen Margrethe II’s Science Prize. I perceive it as a fantastic recognition of all the deeply dedicated, talented and original students, researchers and colleagues with whom I have had the pleasure of exploring quantum physics”.
After the ceremony, a short reception was held. The prize winner was photographed together with Queen Margrethe.
The prize winner has now received 100,000 Danish crowns which Peter Lodahl has said will go back into his research.
