Quantum Sensing Feasibility Study

• Forschungsstelle: METAS
• Projektnummer: F-1040.30143

Schlüsselwörter (Englisch)

quantum sensing, metrology, Ryberg atoms, few photon sources and detectors

Kurzbeschreibung (Englisch)

On behalf of the Federal Council, METAS has to maintain and develop the national measurement base. METAS also serves as the federal center of competence for all issues related to measurements, measuring equipment and measuring procedures, and stands for the cutting edge of measurement accuracy in Switzerland.

Quantum sensing, which is able to perform the most sensitive and accurate measurements of physical parameters, is crucially important for the field of metrology, for example, in the recent redefinition of the SI base units. Quantum sensors have the potential to enable a level of sensitivity and accuracy not achieved so far, and might allow for a decentralized traceability approach. The realization of such sensors and the independence from national metrology institutes (NMI) in terms of traceability for certain quantities might be a reality in several years.

In the framework of quantum technology NMI's can still be seen as an enabler or distributor of reference standards, that a newly developed technology can be validated against formerly established state of the art reference standards. Based on these findings two approaches can be extracted on how metrology and quantum technology can match:
1. Metrology for Quantum (M4Q): Metrology is used to enable reliable quantum technology developments
2. Quantum for Metrology (Q4M): Quantum approaches are used for metrology applications, i.e. the realization of the new SI.

Since more and more quantum sensors will be used in the future in industrial applications, an extension of the measurement capabilities is indispensable. In addition, quantum sensors also open up new applications in fundamental metrology that must be explored.  

Projektziele (Englisch)

Among the priority goals for 2021 the Institute Council agreed to commission METAS to explore and clarify future activities and strategies to be followed in the field of Quantum Sensing (QS). The topic could potentially be of high interest with regard to fundamental metrology research, improved measurement capabilities and at a later stage new services. This project serves as a feasibility study to outline a possible road map for METAS being active in this field.

Abstract (Englisch)

One of the bigger topics in Switzerland in quantum sensing are the nitrogen vacancies (NV) in diamond. There are two spin offs from University of Basel and ETHZ (QNAMI and QSABRE) on microscopes using this technique. On the other hand, CSEM, in collaboration with LTF (Laboratoire Temps-Fréquence, University of Neuchâtel) is leading a large project on miniaturized alkali vapor cells, which have a multitude of applications. This includes measurement of electric fields, magnetic fields, gyroscope and even detection of chemicals.  

Besides these high profile activities there are many smaller efforts scattered in many labs in the here mentioned institutions and well beyond these. E.g. there are some groups in Basel and in ETHZ which work on optical references and associated spectral measurements and computations of lines on ions, atoms and even molecules. Another example are single spin measurements at the University of Basel.  

The impact of quantum sensing on metrology is large and will continue to grow. The new SI system is based on quantum experiments and sensing. The authors expect that this development continues and other derived quantities and not the core SI quantities will be the focus of this development. Quantum sensing is as well a paradigm change for NMIs because with many future quantum sensing technologies it is possible to distribute standards to clients which are comparable to the ones held at the NMI.

Umsetzung und Anwendungen (Englisch)

QS has the potential to massively impact metrology and will yield to various industrial applications. Even though the detailed fields of use and extend of QS applications cannot be entirely pinned down at this moment, it seems clear that METAS has to be prepared for the upcoming quantum era. Although quantum mechanics knowhow is already available in METAS, an extension of existing knowledge specifically in QS will be needed to be able to apply QS in an efficient manner and serve the needs of fundamental metrology applications and industry. Therefore we propose the following threefold approach: 

A competence center for QS in METAS should be created and developed, starting with two complementary activities in the field of QS, namely Ryberg atoms (to improve the precision of electromagnetic field measurements (5G and 6G), and for use in environmental and biomedical measurements), and few photon sources and detectors (which yield very high local resolution of events in fiber distributed sensors for the measurement of temperature, strain or acoustic signals). To make our activities and interest in the field of QS visible, we should explore a strategic partnership going beyond a project collaboration as some Swiss Universities or companies are quite advanced in quantum research and its application. Finally, investments in personnel with complementary expertise and lab equipment and infrastructure need to be made.