Quantum sensing leverages the properties of quantum systems-such as energy quantization, superposition, and entanglement -to achieve sensitive measurements.[1] Quantum sensors can be based on various platforms, such as photons, cold atoms, solid-state spin qubits, and superconducting circuits, for different applications.Over the last decade, quantum sensing has not only opened new avenues for precision measurement in various scientific domains [2,3] but also made remarkable breakthroughs in biomedical, navigation, energy, and other applications.[4-6] To enhance the benefits of quantum sensing, it is crucial to address challenges related to materials [7] and system engineering [8] to improve sensitivity, reliability, and real-time monitoring.Current research efforts span a diverse range of scientific and technological advancements to address these issues and enable new applications.The Special Issue "Quantum Sensing," edited by Tongcang Li, Renbao Liu, and Chong Zu, features 2 review articles and 13 original articles, reporting the latest advancements in the field.This
Quantum sensing leverages the properties of quantum systems-such as energy quantization, superposition, and entanglement -to achieve sensitive measurements.[1] Quantum sensors can be based on various platforms, such as photons, cold atoms, solid-state spin qubits, and superconducting circuits, for different applications.Over the last decade, quantum sensing has not only opened new avenues for precision measurement in various scientific domains [2,3] but also made remarkable breakthroughs in biomedical, navigation, energy, and other applications.[4-6] To enhance the benefits of quantum sensing, it is crucial to address challenges related to materials [7] and system engineering [8] to improve sensitivity, reliability, and real-time monitoring.Current research efforts span a diverse range of scientific and technological advancements to address these issues and enable new applications.The Special Issue "Quantum Sensing," edited by Tongcang Li, Renbao Liu, and Chong Zu, features 2 review articles and 13 original articles, reporting the latest advancements in the field.This
The field of quantum sensing leverages quantum mechanical resources such as superposition, entanglement, and squeezing to surpass classical limits in measurement precision and enable new sensing modalities. This Special Topic Collection in Applied Physics Reviews brings together recent advances spanning theory, materials, device engineering, and applications of quantum sensors. Contributions cover a wide range of platforms, including atomic, solid-state, optomechanics, and photonics, highlighting both fundamental science and emerging technologies. The collection illustrates the transition of quantum sensing from foundational concepts toward scalable technologies and broadens its impact across physics, engineering, and applied sciences.
Quantum technologies are at the cusp of a new technological revolution, with quantum computing and quantum sensing emerging as two of its most transformative domains. This review paper provides an in-depth analysis of these fields, exploring their fundamental principles, hardware implementations, and the challenges that hinder their widespread adoption. Quantum computing, leveraging superposition and entanglement, promises to solve intractable computational problems in areas like drug discovery, materials science, and cryptography. Concurrently, quantum sensing exploits the inherent sensitivity of quantum systems to external perturbations, enabling unprecedented precision in metrology, medical diagnostics, and navigation. We delve into the diverse hardware platforms for each field, including superconducting qubits, trapped ions, NV centers in diamond, and cold atoms. A central theme of this review is the symbiotic relationship between quantum computing and quantum sensing, illustrating how advancements in one area directly accelerate progress in the other. Finally, we discuss the current state of the art, identify key technical and engineering challenges, and provide an outlook on future directions and potential societal impacts.
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.
Quantum electronic sensing (QES), on the cusp of a revolution, is opening up new, possibly cutting-edge possibilities to take advantage of complex quantum mechanical variables to make incredibly sensitive assessments of an array of parameters. Concurrently, there are now prospects for quantum sensing to be used to enhance the processes involved in creating, distributing, and utilizing energy. To use the technology carefully and efficiently, it is necessary to handle issues with material stability and operation, reliable monitoring, and precision in sensing and assessment. Here is an overview of existing and new quantum sensing materials and methods, along with the related sensing frameworks that have been created to support their use. Regarding advanced sensing technologies specifically, the realization of a previously unheard-of degree of sensitivity is made possible using quantum methods and materials. The review's discussion of high-value implementations of quantum sensing in the bio-electronics industry and the still-existing impediments to sensor deployment wrap up the review. More specifically, we address how quantum sensing materials may lead to greater efficiency while highlighting established and developing quantum sensing methods, materials, and sensing platforms. The discussion of potential chances to implement quantum technologies follows a summary of the remaining obstacles and difficulties for quantum sensor deployment.
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.
Abstract On its revolutionary threshold, quantum sensing is creating potentially transformative opportunities to exploit intricate quantum mechanical phenomena in new ways to make ultrasensitive measurements of multiple parameters. Concurrently, growing interest in quantum sensing has created opportunities for its deployment to improve processes pertaining to energy production, distribution, and consumption. Safe and secure utilization of energy is dependent upon addressing challenges related to material stability and function, secure monitoring of infrastructure, and accuracy in detection and measurement. A summary of well‐established and emerging quantum sensing materials and techniques, as well as the corresponding sensing platforms that have been developed for their deployment is provided here. Specifically, the enhancement of existing advanced sensing technologies with quantum methods and materials is focused on, enabling the realization of an unprecedented level of sensitivity, placing an emphasis on relevance to the energy industry. The review concludes with a discussion on high‐value applications of quantum sensing to the energy sector, as well as remaining barriers to sensor deployment.