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Quantum sensors and quantum measurement technology are characterized by their precision and sensitivity. Even a single qubit can be enough to deliver more precise data than conventional sensors. This makes information accessible that previously could not be obtained or could only be obtained at great expense.

The ultra-precise sensor and measuring systems make use of quantum mechanical phenomena such as the entanglement of individual atoms and photons. This allows the smallest changes in the environment to be recorded, be it changes in magnetic or electric field strengths, temperatures, pressures or frequencies, or even rotational, acceleration or gravitational forces.

The sensitivity and precision open up new horizons in many fields of application:

  • Medical diagnostics and imaging
  • Human-machine interfaces (HMI) including for prostheses
  • Ultra-precise time measurement for the synchronization of time-critical processes
  • Non-satellite-based navigation
  • Quality control in micro/nanosystems technology and the semiconductor industry
  • Exploration of raw material deposits
  • Volcanic eruption and earthquake early warning systems
  • Aerospace
  • Electromobility, autonomous driving

In addition to their sensitivity and precision, quantum sensors and measurement methods have a systemic advantage: since they are subject to the laws of quantum mechanics, they only need to be calibrated initially and can be used to adjust and calibrate conventional measurement and sensor technology. The young industry is already delivering market-ready solutions for ultra-precise time measurements and the measurement of electric and magnetic field strengths and gravitational forces.

World of Quantum 2025

For the third time World of Quantum offers an international platform to leading solution providers and research institutions from the fields of quantum sensor technology, quantum measurement technology and quantum imaging. Also thanks to the two concurrent leading trade fairs Laser World of Photonics and automatica, a cross-industry specialist community with broad application know-how, photonic-enabling expertise and scientific excellence will come together at the exhibition center.

Become part of this community. Gain an insight into the future of quantum measurement and sensor technology and the latest trends in

  • Quantum optical spectroscopy and imaging
  • Quantum magnetometry
  • Quantum geodesy and quantum gravimetry
  • Quantum sensor-supported material and quality testing
  • Ultra-precise time measurement
  • Quantum optical chemical and biomedical analytics
  • Quantum sensor-assisted navigation

Powerful in application

Quantum magnetometers can detect magnetic fields in pico-tesla resolutions. Biosignals from the human body can be recorded without contact in order to control prostheses, exoskeletons, cobots or perspective digital devices. This quantum-sensory “native sensing” has the potential to be a game changer in the design of any human-machine interface. Miniaturized chip-based quantum gyroscopes for high-precision and drift-free rotation measurement based on the frequency of the nuclear spin of individual atoms also hold great potential. In the future, this technology could find its way into aircraft, vehicles, ships and submarines through its use in satellite positioning.

Quantum sensor approaches are also promising in medicine, biotechnology and chemistry as well as material analysis and quality control: nanodiamond-based polarizers, for example, are expected to make procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging orders of magnitude more sensitive; among other things, in terms of earlier detection of cardiovascular disease or cancer based on minimally altered magnetic fields. The approach can also be used in industry to detect tiny cracks and shape deviations via magnetic field signatures. This is interesting wherever work is carried out in the micron, nanometer or even sub-nanometer range.

New quantum sensing approaches could also solve a dilemma in tissue examinations: the use of entangled photons of different wavelengths makes it possible to apply soft optimally absorbed light in tissue, for which detectors have been lacking until now. The remote effect of entanglement virtually closes the gap: this is because the state of the photons in the tissue can be read outside from the entangled photons of the other, easily detectable wavelength. The use of entanglement is also promising in quantum imaging to observe processes in living cells for hours at high resolution without damaging them with high doses of short-wave radiation. This is because the light in tissue is different to that used for imaging. Using similar methods, quantum spectroscopy is also opening up the way to higher resolutions and more precise analyses.

Two basic principles

Two types of quantum sensors are currently in use:

  • Solid-state quantum sensors detect magnetic fields, temperatures, pressures, accelerations or the position and orientation of objects. Their actual sensor elements are often only nanometers in size.
  • Atomic acceleration sensors use laser-cooled matter waves—or their laser-induced interference signals—to measure accelerations, rotations or gravitational forces.