A Look At The Bright Future Of Quantum Sensing

By John Oncea, Editor

Quantum sensors can detect magnetic fields and other physical quantities with high sensitivity and spatial resolution. They can provide insights into the smallest features of the world and have many potential applications.

Quantum sensing is the use of advanced sensor technology that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to achieve more precise measurements which, combined with analyzed data collected at the atomic level, allows us to better navigate, study, explore, see, and interact with the world around us.

Quantum sensing can achieve these lofty outcomes thanks to the design and engineering of quantum sources and the resulting quantum measurements beat the performance of any classical strategy in several technological applications.

“The quantum world is essentially a world of the very small, but one of the quests of quantum sensing is to harvest some of these unique properties at the micro-scale. And with these tools, we will have new technologies and measurements that we cannot make today,” says Dartmouth College professor Chandrasekhar Ramanathan.

Let’s Delve Into The Details

Quantum sensing “uses quantum resources – delicate phenomena that are apparent only on an atom-sized scale – to achieve this extreme accuracy,” writes BAE Systems. “Collecting these ‘delicate’ data at the atomic level often means extracting information from individual atoms instead of from the huge collections of atoms, as happens in classical physics.”

Quantum sensors can significantly enhance the accuracy, thoroughness, efficiency, and productivity of our technological devices. Unlike traditional sensors, quantum sensors are not limited by physical constraints, making them more reliable and less vulnerable to signal jamming and electromagnetic interference, which are common issues with light- and sound-based data sensors.

Utilizing quantum entanglement, quantum interference, and quantum state squeezing allows quantum sensors to surpass the performance of classical sensors in terms of precision. Quantum sensing can be implemented using photonic systems (such as entangled photons) or solid-state systems. In photonics and quantum optics, quantum sensing exploits entanglement, single photons, and squeezed states to achieve the extremely accurate measurements it is known for.

Quantum sensing utilizes atomic properties to measure physical activity, resulting in highly precise data. This data can be used to improve the functionality of existing technologies, by providing better information and yielding superior results in the future. According to BAE Systems, examples of using this in day-to-day life include, “Faster, more accurate, more reliable geolocation than is possible with today’s satellite-dependent global positioning system (GPS) devices, with far fewer limitations.”

The technology offers doctors more comprehensive and precise medical diagnostic images at a lower cost and with fewer potential side effects for patients. Additionally, it enables safer autonomous navigation of vehicles on the ground, in the air, and at sea, even in high-traffic areas and around unexpected obstacles. Other benefits include:

• More accurate and less vulnerable guidance systems in space, underwater, and in the increasing number of zones overwhelmed by radio-frequency (RF) signals.
• Reliable detection, imaging, and mapping of underground environments from transit tunnels, sewers, and water pipes to ancient ruins, mines, and subterranean habitats.
• Deeper, more active sensing of gravitational changes and tectonic shifts can forewarn or trigger avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, or climate change activities.

There’s Money To Be Made

The increased sensitivity, selectivity, and efficiencies provided by quantum sensing will give us unprecedented insight into the smallest features of our world. There are many potential applications including personalized medicine, early cancer detection, biological process mapping, and 3D mapping of individual protein molecules.

As a result, “The quantum sensing market is burgeoning, with $80 million invested by venture capital in quantum sensing companies in 2023,”  according to Citi Global Insights. “Third-party TAM forecasts for quantum sensing range between $300 million to $1.4 billion by 2030, with an average compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of almost 15%.”

Citi Global Insights suggests these numbers are underselling the market, citing a CGI report that says a market of $3.25 to $5 billion could develop for just one type of quantum sensor, in the aviation industry alone.

Despite the optimistic financial forecast, challenges do exist. According to Boston Consulting Group, “The biggest challenge for quantum sensing may be making the case for change. In some industries, the up-front costs, high operating costs, and unclear performance advantages limit the technology’s attractiveness, at least in the short term.”

The sensitivity of quantum sensors is extremely high; however, integrating them is difficult, and scalability is limited. These factors make standardization a prerequisite for market penetration and growth. Although the high sensitivity of quantum sensors is their greatest strength, it is also their greatest weakness, as it can lead to corrupted results due to unfiltered noise when used outside the laboratory. As a result, regulators and customers expect predictable accuracy and safety from these devices.

“Integrating quantum sensing with other processes can be difficult because additional miniaturization and customization may be needed,” Boston Consulting Group adds. “Scaling up sensor production is currently hampered by the mostly niche applications now in use and by complex manufacturing processes that require numerous specialized experts to produce relatively few units. Finally, a general lack of awareness and knowledge hinders understanding of the benefits of quantum sensing, which affects both financing and adoption.”

Future Uses Of Quantum Sensing

Quantum sensing has seen some recent advances including single-photon detection and time-resolved photon counting. Breakthroughs in these fields have led to the development of ultra-sensitive detectors that can detect light signals down to the photon level.

Another advancement was full-spectrum quantum sensors which have improved detectors that can provide accurate measurements under all light sources, including LEDs. They can be used for PPFD measurements over plant canopies in greenhouses, growth chambers, and outdoor environments.

Quantum sensing is also expected to improve or continue to improve the capabilities of aircraft manufacturers, automobile manufacturers, border and immigration controls, climatology and weather forecasting, computer and electronics developers, cyber security, and defense and intelligence systems.

It also will have more of a presence in medical and mobility applications writes EDN. “Bosch has announced plans to integrate quantum sensors onto chips. The Stuttgart, Germany-based sensor specialist also has developed a sensor prototype that it claims is currently the smallest, about the size of a cell phone.”

For almost a decade, Bosch has been working on quantum technologies, and they are now planning to collaborate with pilot customers from the medical and mobility industries on specific applications over the next two years. As a part of this initiative, Bosch established Bosch Quantum Sensing in early 2022. Dr. Katrin Kobe, who is responsible for sensor commercialization at Bosch Quantum Sensing, stated that their objective is to miniaturize quantum sensors to the point where they can be integrated onto a chip.

“Bosch estimates the annual global market for quantum sensors serving medical and mobility applications will reach the mid-single-digit billions by the middle of the next decade,” EDN writes. “The company is also confident that quantum sensor capabilities could lead to additional sensing applications.”

Quantum sensors can gather significantly more data than electrocardiography (ECG) machines, making it possible to measure the heart's natural magnetic field. This enables simple measurements to be taken over an extended period. ECG machines use electrodes that must be applied directly to the skin, but if the electrodes slip, the measurements can be inaccurate. Moreover, in emergencies, attaching the ECG machine takes crucial time.

Quantum sensors can be integrated into various objects, such as clothing or mattresses. This allows for faster diagnosis in emergency rooms and precise monitoring at home. Consequently, the possibility of early detection of atrial fibrillation, which is one of the causes of life-threatening strokes, heart failure, and dementia, seems to be reachable through contactless means for the first time.

“Likewise, in mobility, quantum sensors can facilitate ultra-precise navigation in the air, on the road, and on water,” writes EDN. “For navigation, while GPS is susceptible to interference, quantum sensors are resistant to external influences because they work by measuring the earth’s unchanging magnetic field. Next, quantum sensors could be used to precisely measure the magnetic field of the electric current in electric vehicles (EVs) and thus determine the exact charge level of the battery.”

Quantum sensors have the potential to provide new and valuable information about our environment. With the recent announcement by Bosch, it seems that the transition from research to commercial use may be closer than ever before. Though there are still technological advancements that need to be made, this progress is a promising sign for the future of quantum sensors.