Quantum sensing is transitioning from fundamental to applied research. The increased sensitivity of a quantum sensor typically means a greater level of engineering is required to achieve reliable operation. Do medical applications such as the ability to improve the sensitivity, portability and reduce the cost of MRI sensors or the ability to use single photon fluorescence lifetime imaging to provide potentially the ability to detect cancerous cells justify the significant investment and development required?
Quantum sensing is transitioning from fundamental to applied research. The increased sensitivity of a quantum sensor typically means a greater level of engineering is required to achieve reliable operation. Do medical applications such as the ability to improve the sensitivity, portability and reduce the cost of MRI sensors or the ability to use single photon fluorescence lifetime imaging to provide potentially the ability to detect cancerous cells justify the significant investment and development required?
Quantum technology, such as the quantum computers, has attracted significant attention in recent years. In nuclear medicine, powerful and highly sensitive molecular imaging modalities such as PET (Positron Emission Tomography), SPECT (Single Photon Emission CT) and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) provide accurate morphological and functional information. Exploiting certain aspects of quantum mechanics may bring further improvements in sensitivity, spatial resolution and enable novel capabilities in the field of biomedical imaging and sensing. In this workshop, the possibilities of biomedical applications inspired by quantum technology were discussed. The following exciting topics were covered: quantum entanglement in PET, dynamic nuclear polarization toward more sensitive MRI, quantum sensors based on the229mTh nuclear clock, plans of an advanced high-energy gamma-ray source at CERN, laser-assisted radiation detection, solid-state quantum sensors such as those based on nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond, quantum sensing using cascade multi photons, and a laser-based radioactive isotope analysis.
This research explores how quantum physics is redefining the landscape of medical diagnostics through sensing, imaging, and computation. It examines the principles of quantum mechanics superposition, entanglement, and coherence and their application in developing technologies capable of detecting disease at molecular and cellular levels. Quantum imaging surpasses classical resolution limits, while quantum machine learning enables faster and more accurate analysis of medical data. The study also evaluates real-world clinical applications, including wearable magnetoencephalography, quantum-enhanced MRI, and biosensing for cancer biomarkers. Alongside these advancements, it addresses ethical, economic, and regulatory challenges such as data security, cost, and accessibility. The findings suggest that quantum technologies hold transformative potential to shift medicine from reactive treatment to predictive, preventive care provided innovation remains grounded in transparency, inclusivity, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Quantum-enhanced sensing has emerged as a transformative technology with the potential to surpass classical sensing modalities in precision and sensitivity.This study explores the advancements and applications of quantum-enhanced sensing, emphasizing its capacity to bridge fundamental physics and practical implementations.The current progress in experimental demonstrations of quantum-enhanced sensing systems was reviewed, focusing on breakthroughs in metrology and the development of physically realizable sensor architectures.Two practical implementations of quantum-enhanced sensors based on trapped ions were proposed.The first design utilizes Ramsey interferometry with spin-squeezed atomic ensembles, employing laser-induced spin-exchange interactions to reconstruct the sensing Hamiltonian.This approach enables measurement rates to scale with the number of sensing atoms, achieving sensitivity enhancements beyond the standard quantum limit (SQL).The second implementation introduces mean-field interactions mediated by coupled optical cavities that share coherent atomic probes, enabling the realization of high-performance sensing systems.Both sensor systems were demonstrated to be feasible on state-ofthe-art ion-trap platforms, offering promising benchmarks for future applications in metrology and imaging.Particular attention was given to the integration of quantum-enhanced sensing with complementary imaging technologies, which continues to gain traction in medical imaging and other fields.The mutual reinforcement of quantum and complementary technologies is increasingly supported by significant investments from governmental, academic, and commercial entities.The ongoing pursuit of improved measurement resolution and imaging fidelity underscores the interdependence of these innovations, advancing the transition of quantum-enhanced sensing from fundamental research to widespread practical use.
Quantum sensing is emerging as a practical means of improving sensing capabilities in consumer electronics, particularly where size, power, and noise constrain classical approaches. In this paper, we reviewed the near-term applicability of quantum sensing using a platform-and-application framework. Within this framework, we outlined the general sensing protocol and discussed the working of the four key quantum sensing platforms relevant to consumer electronics: nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers, atomic vapor cells, Rydberg atomic sensors, and photonic quantum sensors. Through case studies involving navigation and positioning, healthcare and wearables, radio-frequency (RF) and wireless systems, the Internet of Things (IoT), and imaging, we examined the tangible engineering advantages offered by quantum sensing. Rather than replacing devices outright, quantum sensing is more likely to earn its place in the near-term by upgrading specific measurement components within hybrid classical-quantum systems. Right now, the clearest opportunities are in weak-field detection, compact RF reception, and sensing that remains robust in noise.
Over the past few decades, medical imaging has revolutionized the way clinicians diagnose, monitor, and treat diseases. However, despite significant advancements in imaging resolution, contrast, and computational reconstruction, several challenges remain unresolved — especially in terms of early-stage detection, noise reduction, and functional imaging at the cellular or molecular level. In recent years, quantum physics has emerged as a disruptive force with the potential to drastically enhance medical imaging technologies through the application of its fundamental principles such as quantum superposition, entanglement, tunneling, and spin dynamics. This research explores the intersection of quantum mechanics and medical imaging engineering, with a primary focus on how quantum phenomena are being utilized to elevate the performance and capability of key imaging modalities like Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and optical-based quantum imaging. The study presents an in-depth analysis of how quantum concepts are applied in practice — such as the role of spin alignment and magnetic resonance in MRI, the use of entangled photon pairs in PET scanning, and the integration of quantum dots in high-contrast optical imaging. Beyond existing technologies, the paper investigates cutting-edge developments including quantum-enhanced sensors, quantum computing for real-time image reconstruction, and the promise of quantum artificial intelligence in image interpretation. By analyzing both theoretical frameworks and experimental findings, the study highlights the significant advantages that quantum technologies bring — such as improved spatial resolution, higher signal-to-noise ratio, and reduced patient exposure to radiation. Despite its promise, the integration of quantum physics into medical imaging is not without challenges. The research discusses limitations such as system decoherence, scalability, clinical costs, and the gap between laboratory research and clinical deployment. In conclusion, this paper argues that while still emerging, the application of quantum physics holds transformative potential for the future of diagnostic imaging, and could ultimately lead to more accurate, efficient, and personalized healthcare.
Quantum technologies are rapidly transforming healthcare by offering capabilities beyond classical systems across sensing, materials, and communication. Traditional quantum sensors like SQUIDs provide high sensitivity but require cryogenic cooling and fixed infrastructure, while newer platforms such as optically pumped magnetometers, NVdiamond sensors, and ultra-low-field MRI deliver portable, cryogen-free, high-resolution solutions suitable for point-of-care use. In quantum materials, toxicity concerns with cadmium-based quantum dots have accelerated the development of safer, biocompatible alternatives including carbon quantum dots, indium nanocrystals, and doped semiconductor materials, which retain strong optical performance for in vivo imaging.nwhile, the rise of quantum computing challenges classical healthcare cybersecurity, making quantum key distribution and post-quantum cryptography essential for securing medical networks and IoMT devices. For all hurdles such as hardware immaturity and regulatory gaps, emerging quantum technologies offer clear benefits in precision, scalability, safety, and data security, positioning them as fundamental elements of future healthcare systems.