Prize recipient 2025 | Klaus Mølmer

Klaus Mølmer is a physicist of the highest international calibre, a founder and driver in the important fields of theoretical quantum optics and information science, and an extremely inspirational and generous teacher and mentor, cultivating a whole generation of researchers in quantum information science and industry. He is professor at the Niels Bohr Institute, Head of Quantum Section.

Earlier at University of Aarhus he set up a world-recognized research group in quantum optics, setting Denmark in a leading position in this important area. With others he provided the first complete description of laser cooling, which supported the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1997. This established Mølmer as a world leading expert on the theory of open and monitored quantum systems, by now textbook material, providing new insight into the measurement problem, with recent applications in quantum computing and sensing. Other fundamental achievements include the proposal of a quantum gate for ion-trap quantum computing – known as the Mølmer-Sørensen gate - the basis of the two-qubit gate, the equivalent of the transistor in classical computers, pursued by leading quantum computing companies. In the rapidly progressing field of so-called Rydberg states, his impact is documented by the highly influential review article, the main reference for newcomers to this field. Recently his fundamental theory of retrodiction has led to new applications for continuous probing to enhance the precision of quantum sensors.

Mølmer is a vivid and charismatic science communicator and has given an abundance of popular talks on quantum science at all levels. He is deeply engaged in the foundations of quantum physics and the interpretation of the quantum laws as well as in communicating and advising on the applicability of the technology nationally and internationally, known for his authoritative and meticulous approach, yet not afraid of expressing scepticism and cautiousness when appropriate - highly valued at the current early stage of quantum technology.