Sensing is the detection and measurement of quantities or changes in quantities of chemical compositions, light, motion, pressure, sound, and temperature. The wide-ranging applications include healthcare, navigation, and scientific research, as well as various applications of industrial interest. The accuracy of the measurements is crucial to performing analyses, which influence the corresponding responses to the detections.
Unfortunately, existing sensing technology is too limited for some of these applications. But for those applications, fortunately, novel quantum sensing technology offers unprecedented accuracy and precision in detections and measurements.
Quantum sensors leverage the principles of quantum mechanics, with different sensors leveraging different principles. Photonic sensors, for example, leverage quantum entanglement, single photons, and squeezed states, and are often used to measure electromagnetism and detect vibration. Solid-state sensors, for another example, leverage quantized energy levels and quantum coherence to detect a stimulus or measure quantities. Other quantum sensors leverage quantum interference or other quantum mechanical principles.
As a quantum technology, advancements in quantum sensors can impact other quantum technologies, and vice versa. A neutral atom quantum sensor module, for example, and a neutral atom quantum computer trap – a magneto-optical trap, or MOT – are both ultrahigh vacuum chambers with clouds of atomic vapors. Both technologies apply focused laser beams to these clouds.
One of the advantages of using neutral atoms is scalability. Whether for quantum sensing or quantum computation, one chamber can hold hundreds or thousands of individual atoms. Atoms also have relatively long coherence times, which allows more time for measuring or computing. Atoms even have potential as the nodes in quantum networks, yet a third quantum technology.
Some of the applications of neutral atom technology – covering quantum sensing, quantum communication, and quantum computing – include:
For more information on the applications of neutral atom technology beyond quantum sensing, be sure to check out “Key Advantages of Neutral-atom Quantum Computer Architectures” and “Understanding the Potential of Commercial Quantum Computers.”
Quantum sensors operate on the principles of quantum mechanics. The principles that have been referenced thus far include, but are not limited to:
Again, other quantum sensors might leverage other quantum mechanical principles. After all, there are quite a few modalities that are used as quantum sensors, and they tend to focus on specific types of applications.
Quantum sensing applications includes all the sensing applications that require greater accuracy than is afforded by current technology. Not all sensing applications necessarily need the greater accuracy, but quantum sensing is the solution for those that do. Just a few biomedical, energy & infrastructure, environmental, navigation & positioning, and other examples include:
For more about the uses of quantum sensors and the types of companies that use them, check out “What is Quantum Sensing?” by BAE Systems. Another option is “Quantum Sensors in ‘24: Best 8 Use Cases & Case Studies” by AIMultiple; this article includes a three-minute video explainer, some of the benefits of using quantum sensors, the seven types of quantum sensors, eight use cases, and links to further information.
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