Quantum sensor and measurement technology—Precision redefined

How quantum sensors work

How quantum sensors work is based on quantum mechanical phenomena such as the entanglement of individual atoms and photons. This allows the smallest changes in the environment to be registered.

The most important principles of quantum sensor technology

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.

Quantum sensor fields of application

Quantum sensors offer solutions and finer measurement techniques for numerous sectors and industries. The most important areas of application are:

• 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

Quantum measurement technology as the calibration standard of the future

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 measuring electric and magnetic field strengths and gravitational forces.

Quantum sensor technology in use

„Native Sensing“ for human-machine interface

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.

Polarizers for magnetic resonance imaging

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.

Entangled Photons for new imaging methods

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.

Quantum imaging with gentle effect

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.