Quantum Sensing: Evolution and Revolution from Past to Future

Bal Krishna

Quantum physics, emerging from the intellectual crisis of classical mechanics at the dawn of the twentieth century, has over the course of twelve decades established itself as the most foundationally disruptive, experimentally verified, and technologically generative scientific framework in the history of human inquiry. This article presents a synthetic, balanced account of quantum physics across three temporal dimensions — its historical origins and theoretical maturation, its present theoretical frontiers and technological applications, and its future prospects across computing, communication, sensing, and the search for a unified theory of physical reality. Drawing upon foundational primary literature, historiographical scholarship, experimental physics, and contemporary quantum technology research, the article traces the discipline's evolution from Planck's quantum hypothesis of 1900 through the quantum mechanical revolution of the 1920s, the development of quantum field theory and the Standard Model, and the emergence of a second quantum revolution deliberately harnessing entanglement and superposition as technological resources. The analysis identifies three domains of outstanding significance for quantum physics in the present century: the unresolved interpretational and foundational questions surrounding the measurement problem and the nature of quantum reality; the technological race toward fault-tolerant quantum computing and global quantum communication networks; and the deep theoretical challenge of reconciling quantum mechanics with general relativity in a unified framework capable of describing physical reality at all scales. The article concludes that quantum physics remains an unfinished revolution whose most consequential theoretical discoveries and technological applications may lie not behind but ahead of us, and that understanding its past, present, and future is essential for any serious engagement with the scientific and technological landscape of the twenty-first century.

Ana R. Bastos, Emmanuel Zambrini Cruzeiro, M. Niehus +1 more

Sujal Sinha

In 1900, Max Planck introduced the quantum hypothesis, sparking a scientific revolution that would redefine physics and technology. Over the past century, Quantum mechanics has evolved from a spooky curiosity to a physical theory. In 1925, Heisenberg and Dirac introduced the concept of quantum mechanics, establishing the foundations of quantum theory. Since then, quantum entanglement has become a resource, enabling tasks such as teleportation, quantum key distribution (QKD), and even the foundational protocols of quantum cryptography. In- dia’s National Quantum Mission (2023-2031) likewise supports such achievements, with funding, thematic hubs, and strategic coordination to foster innovation in quantum communication, sensing, computation, and materials science. This essay explores the pivotal moments, scientists, and innovations that mark this extraordinary journey, highlighting the impact of World War II, first and second quantum revolutions and forecasting a future governed by quantum technologies.

Michael S. Seablom

Daniel Sunghoi Choi

While the fundamental nature of war remains constant, military strategies continue to evolve in response to capabilities enabled by new technologies. Therefore, military leaders must be aware of emerging and disruptive technologies to maintain forces that are relevant. One such technology is quantum technology, which has received a great deal of attention in the past few years due to its potential application in a wide range of areas. Particularly, quantum technology promises breakthroughs in various domains of warfare by significantly enhancing current military technology. This article explores three major defense applications of quantum technology—quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum communication—and their impact on future warfare based on realistic assessment.