Quantum technologies, mainly quantum computing and quantum sensing are emerging as new applications of quantum mechanics for practical use. Two notable advancements in quantum computing and quantum sensing respectively are Shor’s algorithm and nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond lattices. Shor’s algorithm leverages certain properties of quantum computers to factor large numbers faster than any classical algorithm. Nitrogen vacancy centers leverage spin defects to sense even very small signatures of magnetic fields. This review article aims to provide a pedagogical introduction and overview of these emerging platforms for quantum technology.
Quantum technologies, mainly quantum computing and quantum sensing are emerging as new applications of quantum mechanics for practical use. Two notable advancements in quantum computing and quantum sensing respectively are Shor’s algorithm and nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond lattices. Shor’s algorithm leverages certain properties of quantum computers to factor large numbers faster than any classical algorithm. Nitrogen vacancy centers leverage spin defects to sense even very small signatures of magnetic fields. This review article aims to provide a pedagogical introduction and overview of these emerging platforms for quantum technology.
Abstract This review provides a comprehensive overview of the key materials underpinning quantum technologies, including two-dimensional system (2D), superconducting materials, and nitrogen-vacancy (NV − ) centers in diamond. Particular emphasis is placed on their roles in quantum sensing, communication, and qubit design. Quantum sensors, such as atomic vapor magnetometers, solid-state spin sensors, and superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID) circuits, have become essential tools for measuring magnetic fields and detecting physical phenomena at extremely small scales. These technologies, with diverse applications ranging from medicine and geophysics to biotechnology and materials science, offer new opportunities for detecting and measuring nanoscale phenomena and are poised to play a key role in the future of quantum technologies.
Quantum sensing aims to detect signals with unparalleled sensitivity, potentially surpassing classical limitations. Solid-state spin defects, particularly nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond, have emerged as promising platforms due to their long coherence time, optical addressability, high field sensitivity, and spatial and spectral resolution, making them ideal for sensing and imaging applications. Their compact size and robust performance under room temperature and ambient conditions further enhance their suitability for real-world applications. We provide an overview of quantum sensing principles and explore efforts to improve sensor functionality, including advanced sensing protocols, spatial imaging techniques, and integration with optical systems to enhance detection efficiency. We also highlight recent progress in the applications of these sensors across various use cases, including biomedical diagnostics, semiconductor device inspection, and industrial and military applications.
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 sensing is a paradigm shift in measurement science. It uses the intrinsic quantum properties of particles and their wave functions, such as superposition, entanglement, and coherence, to achieve unparalleled sensitivity, precision, and miniaturization. This paper provides a practical engineering perspective on quantum sensing, linking foundational quantum principles to real-world applications. It reviews key enabling technologies, such as single-photon detectors, which can detect individual photons with high efficiency and low noise; nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds, which sense nanoscale magnetic and electric fields at room temperature; and Rydberg atoms, which detect precise electromagnetic fields using optical techniques. Additionally, we examine the integration of quantum sensing approaches with optical fiber systems, high-lighting advances in distributed sensing capabilities enabled by quantum detectors. The discussion emphasizes the advantages of quantum measurement techniques over classical methods. Finally, it outlines the emerging domain of quantum sensing applications and the ongoing miniaturization and cost reduction of quantum devices, demonstrating their potential to transform multiple scientific and industrial fields.
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.
Diamond quantum technologies based on color centers have rapidly emerged in the most recent years. The nitrogen-vacancy (NV) color center has attracted a particular interest, thanks to its outstanding spin properties and optical addressability. The NV center has been used to realize innovative multimode quantum-enhanced sensors that offer an unprecedented combination of high sensitivity and spatial resolution at room temperature. The technological progress and the widening of potential sensing applications have induced an increasing demand for performance advances of NV quantum sensors. Quantum control plays a key role in responding to this demand. This short review affords an overview on recent advances in quantum control-assisted quantum sensing and spectroscopy of magnetic fields.