Current technology trends indicate that quantum computers are on the threshold of broad adoption and usability across many industries. At present a number of quantum computers have been realized in hardware, typically with only a few qubits and with performance limitations including short coherence times, difficult coupling to input/output processing, and strong susceptibility to noise in the ambient environment. However, the separate but closely related field of quantum sensing shows much more near-term promise in respect of its applicability to broad classes of systems and missions, including many types of aerospace systems, sensors, and the processing and evaluation of their data. This paper reviews the basic methodology and types of quantum sensing, some history of related measurements and proof-of-concept experiments, and assesses the potential applicability of quantum sensing techniques to future aerospace sensors and systems. Performance metrics using published models and demonstration experiments show distinct performance advantages in several cases and are used to compare near-term quantum sensing to more conventional systems. In addition, the application of quantum communication to networked systems is discussed, along with the potential for novel data fusion techniques using quantum-inspired protocols and methods.
Current technology trends indicate that quantum computers are on the threshold of broad adoption and usability across many industries. At present a number of quantum computers have been realized in hardware, typically with only a few qubits and with performance limitations including short coherence times, difficult coupling to input/output processing, and strong susceptibility to noise in the ambient environment. However, the separate but closely related field of quantum sensing shows much more near-term promise in respect of its applicability to broad classes of systems and missions, including many types of aerospace systems, sensors, and the processing and evaluation of their data. This paper reviews the basic methodology and types of quantum sensing, some history of related measurements and proof-of-concept experiments, and assesses the potential applicability of quantum sensing techniques to future aerospace sensors and systems. Performance metrics using published models and demonstration experiments show distinct performance advantages in several cases and are used to compare near-term quantum sensing to more conventional systems. In addition, the application of quantum communication to networked systems is discussed, along with the potential for novel data fusion techniques using quantum-inspired protocols and methods.
The current rise of quantum technology is compelled by quantum sensing research. Thousands of research labs are developing and testing a broad range of sensor prototypes. However, there is a lack of knowledge about specific applications and real-world use cases where the benefits of these sensors will be most pronounced. This study presents a comprehensive review of quantum sensing state-of-practice. It also provides a detailed analysis of how quantum sensing overcomes the existing limitations of sensor-driven systems’ precision and performance. Based on the review of over 500 quantum sensor prototype reports, we determined four groups of quantum sensors and discussed their readiness for commercial usage. We concluded that quantum magnetometry and quantum optics are the most advanced sensing technologies with empirically proven results. In turn, quantum timing and kinetics are still in the early stages of practical validation. In addition, we defined four systems domains in which quantum sensors offer a solution for existing limitations of conventional sensing technologies. These domains are 1) GPS-free positioning and navigating services, 2) time-based operations, 3) topological visibility, and 4) environment detection, prediction, and modeling. Finally, we discussed the current constraints of quantum sensing technologies and offered directions for future research.
Background: High-precision sensing is vital for modern technology, yet conventional sensors are fundamentally constrained by classical noise limits. Quantum sensing leverages principles of quantum mechanics, such as superposition and entanglement, to overcome these barriers, offering unprecedented sensitivity. This review comprehensively analyzes the current state of quantum sensor technology, focusing on its underlying physical principles, emerging applications, and the pathway toward industrial maturation.Methods: We synthesize findings from key research areas, detailing the foundational quantum systems like Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) centers in diamond and advanced optical techniques. The paper reviews the theoretical methods used to achieve sub-shot-noise performance and discusses the system-level engineering challenges necessary for practical deployment, particularly concerning microwave control and optical readout. We also assess the current landscape of standardization efforts for quantum technologies.Results: Significant breakthroughs are highlighted in both biomedical and environmental sensing. Applications range from tracking cellular redox-status using electron-paramagnetic resonance to ultra-sensitive salinity measurements. The analysis confirms that quantum sensing provides superior resolution compared to classical counterparts, unlocking new capabilities in in-vivo and real-time monitoring.Discussion: While offering transformative potential, widespread adoption faces hurdles, including the maintenance of quantum coherence in ambient environments and the high cost and complexity of current instrumentation. Future efforts must focus on miniaturization, integration with classical systems, and standardized fabrication protocols. Quantum sensing represents the next-generation technological paradigm for metrology.
In recent years, wireless sensing has garnered increasing attention from both industry and academia. Despite its promise, it still faces several fundamental challenges that are difficult to overcome, including hardware thermal noise limitation, antenna size constraint, and limited frequency band resources. At the same time, rapid advancements in quantum technology are driving continuous innovations. By thoroughly understanding the principles of both wireless sensing and quantum physics, we propose a novel paradigm: quantum wireless sensing. Although quantum wireless sensing originates from quantum measurement, its focus has shifted toward practical wireless sensing tasks. This evolution calls for a reassessment of parameter estimation, grounded in the fundamental principles of quantum physics. We believe the unique advantages of quantum receivers - specifically, their high sensitivity and wide frequency range - can unlock powerful quantum sensing capabilities across various domains, including terrestrial, aerospace, and maritime applications. This article articulates our vision for this emerging field, highlighting recent advancements in quantum wireless sensing and exploring promising directions for future research.
Quantum sensing, with measurement performance exceeding classical limits, boasts breakthrough application potential across multiple fields but faces traditional bottlenecks like device design, state manipulation, and signal processing. This paper focuses on the interdisciplinary area of AI (Artificial Intelligence)-empowered quantum sensing, systematically reviewing AI’s application progress in three core aspects: quantum sensor structure design, quantum state manipulation, and signal processing. It analyzes typical cases to interpret AI’s solutions to high-dimensional optimization and complex noise adaptation, extracting a data-driven technical paradigm that improves quantum sensors’ sensitivity, stability, and integration. Additionally, it identifies common challenges such as model interpretability and data dependence, and envisions future directions like physics-informed models and quantum-classical fusion, providing references for quantum sensing’s practicalization and next-generation intelligent system development.
Quantum sensing technology is already providing value and potential use cases can shape multiple industries. There are four core technologies with promising applications - solid state spins, neutral atoms, superconducting circuits, and trapped ions - which have sensing capabilities across a broad range of physical properties, including magnetic fields, electric fields, rotation, temperature, gravity, time, and pressure. Which quantum sensing technology and implementation type to use depends on the use case, as they measure different properties and are best suited to specific environments. This paper discusses the potential and current applications of the abovementioned quantum sensing technologies through varied use-case studies. They are presented around four specific industries and along different time horizons, emphasizing the need for further development and enhancement that can be achieved over the conventional counterparts. The full power of quantum sensors is not yet known, but they have the potential to create an entire new ecosystem if researchers, start-ups, and industry leaders work together to explore their applications and get them out of the lab. Here, the paper outlines necessary actions and possible avenues for the stakeholders to realize this potential across academia and industry.
Abstract. Quantum sensing technologies provide future cities with unimaginable techniques for solving their complex problems. Quantum sensors, through the utilization of quantum effects such as superposition, entanglement, and tunneling, can provide an unmatched level of sensitivity, precision, and durability against traditional sensing technologies. This study explores the potential applications of quantum sensing in four critical urban infrastructure domains: water, energy, transport, and construction. Throughout this study, we determine the most promising quantum sensing technologies for each domain. Besides, we discuss the technical progress of these sensors and the advantages they have in comparison with classical devices, as well as the organizational issues cities can face when implementing these sensors. Our results indicate that quantum sensing will be a critical enabler of future smart cities, generating advanced monitoring, control, and decision-making capabilities across various sectors. Nevertheless, taking advantage of this potential will demand the close partnership of cities, industry, academia, and policymakers to guide the complicated adoption process.