Quantum sensing has highly practical potential applications in fields ranging from fundamental physics and quantum communication to biophysics and bioengineering. However, achieving high fidelity and control of entangled qubits that enables sensing beyond the quantum limit is still a challenging endeavor. In this paper, we present an alternative approach to quantum sensing, which we call open-system quantum sensing, where we exploit a generalization of the Pauli exclusion principle to sense the openness of a multiqubit quantum system from only measurement of the qubit occupations. Qubit occupations of a pure state obey generalized Pauli exclusion constraints that define a convex set known as the Pauli polytope, and hence violation of one of these constraints---a facet of the polytope---reveals a mixed state from the interaction of a quantum system with its environment without performing full-state tomography. We examine experimental ultrafast spectroscopic data from the photosynthetic light-harvesting complex in green sulfur bacteria and show that we can sense and decode the relaxation of the complex due to environmental noise. More generally, we can apply open-system quantum sensing with any general multiqubit quantum system, where it provides a unique, visual approach that promises enhanced sensitivity and fidelity.
Quantum sensing has highly practical potential applications in fields ranging from fundamental physics and quantum communication to biophysics and bioengineering. However, achieving high fidelity and control of entangled qubits that enables sensing beyond the quantum limit is still a challenging endeavor. In this paper, we present an alternative approach to quantum sensing, which we call open-system quantum sensing, where we exploit a generalization of the Pauli exclusion principle to sense the openness of a multiqubit quantum system from only measurement of the qubit occupations. Qubit occupations of a pure state obey generalized Pauli exclusion constraints that define a convex set known as the Pauli polytope, and hence violation of one of these constraints---a facet of the polytope---reveals a mixed state from the interaction of a quantum system with its environment without performing full-state tomography. We examine experimental ultrafast spectroscopic data from the photosynthetic light-harvesting complex in green sulfur bacteria and show that we can sense and decode the relaxation of the complex due to environmental noise. More generally, we can apply open-system quantum sensing with any general multiqubit quantum system, where it provides a unique, visual approach that promises enhanced sensitivity and fidelity.
Quantum sensors emerged among quantum technologies as the ones with promising potential applications in the near future. This perspective reviews two leading quantum sensing platforms and their advancements toward biological applications: quantum light sources and color centers in diamonds. Quantum light, including squeezed states and N00N states, allows enhanced phase measurements by surpassing the classical shot noise limits. This advantage can be exploited in several contexts, enabling improved resolution and sensitivity, which are particularly valuable in biological contexts where traditional high-intensity illumination could damage or alter delicate samples. In parallel, color centers in diamonds, specifically nitrogen-vacancy and silicon-vacancy centers, also emerged as promising for sensing applications due to their high sensitivity and biocompatibility. These sensors enable detailed intracellular measurements, such as temperature detection, and show potential for measuring magnetic fields of biological origin. Despite these advancements, significant challenges remain in translating these technologies from a controlled laboratory environment to practical, widely applicable devices for diverse biological applications. Overcoming these challenges is crucial for unlocking the full potential of quantum sensors in the biological field.
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.
While the fundamental principles of light-matter interaction are well-understood and drive countless technologies, the world of multiphoton processes remains a fascinating puzzle, holding the potential to drastically alter our understanding of how light interacts with matter at its most basic level. This rich interplay of light and matter unveils novel phenomena that can be harnessed for sensing with exceptional precision, as exemplified by multiphoton quantum sensing. This thesis delves into the applications of multiphoton quantum protocols, particularly in imaging, communication, and plasmonic sensing, to surpass classical limitations and achieve enhanced sensitivity. We explore the potential of multiphoton quantum processes, particularly in the nanoscale regime and within subsystems of macroscopic systems, where novel and ultra-sensitive sensing methodologies emerge. Subsequent chapters of this thesis demonstrate the transformative potential of multiphoton quantum sensing, elucidating the design, implementation, and experimental results of specific sensing protocols tailored to diverse applications. Our analysis combines experimental observations and theoretical predictions to assess the sensitivity and performance of these protocols. Additionally, the thesis discusses potential future directions and advancements in the field, envisioning applications in biomolecule detection, environmental monitoring, and fundamental studies of light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. Concluding reflections highlight the implications of multiphoton quantum sensing across scientific disciplines and lay the groundwork for future research endeavors.
While the fundamental principles of light-matter interaction are well-understood and drive countless technologies, the world of multiphoton processes remains a fascinating puzzle, holding the potential to drastically alter our understanding of how light interacts with matter at its most basic level [1–4]. This rich interplay of light and matter unveils novel phenomena that can be harnessed for sensing with exceptional precision, as exemplified by multiphoton quantum sensing. This thesis delves into the applications of multiphoton quantum protocols, particularly in imaging, communication, and plasmonic sensing, to surpass classical limitations and achieve enhanced sensitivity. We explore the potential of multiphoton quantum processes, particularly in the nanoscale regime and within subsystems of macroscopic systems, where novel and ultra-sensitive sensing methodologies emerge. Subsequent chapters of this thesis demonstrate the transformative potential of multiphoton quantum sensing, elucidating the design, implementation, and experimental results of specific sensing protocols tailored to diverse applications. Our analysis combines experimental observations and theoretical predictions to assess the sensitivity and performance of these protocols. Additionally, the thesis discusses potential future directions and advancements in the field, envisioning applications in biomolecule detection, environmental monitoring, and fundamental studies of light-matter interactions at the nanoscale. Concluding reflections highlight the implications of multiphoton quantum sensing across scientific disciplines and lay the groundwork for future research endeavors.
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.
The extraordinary sensitivity of plasmonic sensors is well-known in the optics and photonics community. These sensors exploit simultaneously the enhancement and the localization of electromagnetic fields close to the interface between a metal and a dielectric. This enables, for example, the design of integrated biochemical sensors at scales far below the diffraction limit. Despite their practical realization and successful commercialization, the sensitivity and associated precision of plasmonic sensors are starting to reach their fundamental classical limit given by quantum fluctuations of light-known as the shot-noise limit. To improve the sensing performance of these sensors beyond the classical limit, quantum resources are increasingly being employed. This area of research has become known as "quantum plasmonic sensing", and it has experienced substantial activity in recent years for applications in chemical and biological sensing. This review aims to cover both plasmonic and quantum techniques for sensing, and it shows how they have been merged to enhance the performance of plasmonic sensors beyond traditional methods. We discuss the general framework developed for quantum plasmonic sensing in recent years, covering the basic theory behind the advancements made, and describe the important works that made these advancements. We also describe several key works in detail, highlighting their motivation, the working principles behind them, and their future impact. The intention of the review is to set a foundation for a burgeoning field of research that is currently being explored out of intellectual curiosity and for a wide range of practical applications in biochemistry, medicine, and pharmaceutical research.