Quantum sensor
Encyclopedia
The word quantum refers to the idea of interactions and discrete energy levels of particles at the subatomic level (quantum mechanics
). Quantum mechanics is a very deep topic, and seeks to describe the state of being of a physical system. The 'quantum world' goes against traditional laws of physics and opens new dimensions of study and possibility. A quantum sensor therefore is an influencing system that can measure the effect of the quantum state of another physical or /particle system on itself. The mere act of measurement influences the quantum state and alters the probability and uncertainty associated with its state during measurement.
A quantum sensor is a device that exploits quantum correlations, such as quantum entanglement
, to achieve a sensitivity or resolution that is better than can achieved using only classical systems.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
has recently launched a research program in optical quantum sensors that seeks to exploit ideas from quantum metrology
and quantum imaging
, such as quantum lithography
and the NOON state
, in order to achieve these goals with optical sensor systems such as lidar
.
Quantum sensor is also a term used in other settings where entangled quantum systems are exploited to make better atomic clocks or more sensitive magnetometers.
Quantum mechanics
Quantum mechanics, also known as quantum physics or quantum theory, is a branch of physics providing a mathematical description of much of the dual particle-like and wave-like behavior and interactions of energy and matter. It departs from classical mechanics primarily at the atomic and subatomic...
). Quantum mechanics is a very deep topic, and seeks to describe the state of being of a physical system. The 'quantum world' goes against traditional laws of physics and opens new dimensions of study and possibility. A quantum sensor therefore is an influencing system that can measure the effect of the quantum state of another physical or /particle system on itself. The mere act of measurement influences the quantum state and alters the probability and uncertainty associated with its state during measurement.
A quantum sensor is a device that exploits quantum correlations, such as quantum entanglement
Quantum entanglement
Quantum entanglement occurs when electrons, molecules even as large as "buckyballs", photons, etc., interact physically and then become separated; the type of interaction is such that each resulting member of a pair is properly described by the same quantum mechanical description , which is...
, to achieve a sensitivity or resolution that is better than can achieved using only classical systems.
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the development of new technology for use by the military...
has recently launched a research program in optical quantum sensors that seeks to exploit ideas from quantum metrology
Quantum metrology
Quantum metrology is the study of making high-resolution and highly sensitive measurements of physical parameters using quantum theory to describe the physical systems, particularly exploiting quantum entanglement...
and quantum imaging
Quantum imaging
Quantum imaging,, is a new sub-field of quantum optics that exploits quantum correlations such as quantum entanglement of the electromagnetic field in order to image objects with a resolution or other imaging criteria that is beyond what is possible in classical optics. Examples of quantum imaging...
, such as quantum lithography
Quantum lithography
Quantum lithography is a type of photolithography, which exploits non-classical properties of the photons, such as quantum entanglement, in order to achieve superior performance over ordinary classical lithography. Quantum lithography is closely related to the fields of quantum imaging, quantum...
and the NOON state
NOON state
A NOON state is a quantum-mechanical many-body entangled state:A NOON state is a quantum-mechanical many-body entangled state:A NOON state is a quantum-mechanical many-body entangled state:...
, in order to achieve these goals with optical sensor systems such as lidar
LIDAR
LIDAR is an optical remote sensing technology that can measure the distance to, or other properties of a target by illuminating the target with light, often using pulses from a laser...
.
Quantum sensor is also a term used in other settings where entangled quantum systems are exploited to make better atomic clocks or more sensitive magnetometers.