Shenzhen Winna Electronic Industrial Co., Ltd.

In the modern pursuit of extreme precision in measurement, quantum sensing technology, leveraging the unique properties of quantum mechanics, has broken through the limits of traditional measurement methods and become a key technology for exploring the microscopic world and achieving high-precision detection. From the detection of physical quantities at the atomic scale to the capture of weak signals in macroscopic scenarios, quantum sensing is revolutionizing the boundaries of measurement science and bringing new opportunities to fields such as basic scientific research, medical diagnosis, and geological exploration. This article will deeply analyze the technical principles, core advantages, diverse application scenarios, as well as the challenges and future development directions of quantum sensing.

Technical Principles and Core Characteristics of Quantum Sensing

The core principle of quantum sensing stems from the sensitivity of quantum systems to changes in the external environment. Quantum particles (such as atoms, electrons, photons, etc.) possess unique properties such as superposition states and entanglement states. Taking the superposition state as an example, a quantum bit can simultaneously exist in a superposition of 0 and 1. When a small change occurs in an external physical quantity (such as magnetic field, electric field, temperature, etc.), the state of the quantum system will change accordingly. By precisely measuring these changes in quantum states, ultra-high-precision detection of physical quantities can be achieved. Quantum entanglement, on the other hand, creates an instantaneous correlation between multiple quantum particles. Even if they are far apart, the measurement of one particle will instantaneously affect the states of other entangled particles. This property can be used to construct more stable and sensitive sensing systems.

Atomic Magnetometer: Utilizes the sensitivity of the quantum states of cold atoms to magnetic fields to measure the strength and direction of magnetic fields. Cesium atoms, rubidium atoms, etc. are widely used in atomic magnetometers. When the external magnetic field changes, the energy level transition frequency of the atoms will change accordingly. By precisely measuring this frequency change, ultra-high-precision magnetic field measurement can be achieved. Currently, cold-atom-based magnetometers can detect magnetic fields as low as 10^-14 tesla, improving the precision by several orders of magnitude compared to traditional magnetometers, and playing an important role in fields such as magnetoencephalography detection and geological exploration.

Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID): Based on the Josephson effect, a SQUID consists of a superconducting loop and a Josephson junction. When an external magnetic field passes through the superconducting loop, it will cause a change in the quantum state within the loop, thereby generating a measurable current signal. SQUIDs can detect extremely weak magnetic field changes and are commonly used to detect biomagnetic signals, such as the weak magnetic fields generated by the heart and brain, helping doctors diagnose diseases more accurately. They can also be applied in geophysical exploration to detect weak magnetic field anomalies in underground geological structures and assist in the search for mineral resources.

Quantum Dot Sensors: Quantum dots are nanoscale semiconductor materials with unique quantum confinement effects. By changing the size, shape, and composition of quantum dots, their optical and electrical properties can be adjusted. When quantum dots interact with target molecules, their fluorescence intensity, emission wavelength, and other characteristics will change. Using this property, highly sensitive detection of biomolecules and chemical substances can be achieved. In the biomedical field, quantum dot sensors can label and track biomolecules within individual cells, providing important data support for early cancer diagnosis and drug development.

Core Advantages of Quantum Sensing

Quantum sensing breaks through the precision barrier of traditional measurement techniques and can detect extremely weak changes in physical quantities. In gravitational wave detection, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO), through quantum sensing technology, can detect tiny changes in the arm length of the detector at the level of 10^-18 meters caused by gravitational waves. This precision is equivalent to detecting one-thousandth of the distance change between the Earth and Proxima Centauri, enabling humans to directly detect gravitational waves for the first time and opening up a new window for astronomical research.

Quantum systems respond extremely quickly to environmental changes and can achieve real-time monitoring of physical quantities. In the field of communication, quantum key distribution systems use the instantaneous changes of quantum states for key transmission. Once someone tries to eavesdrop, the quantum state will change, and both communication parties can immediately detect it, ensuring the security and real-time nature of communication.

Quantum sensing can simultaneously measure multiple physical quantities with high precision. In a quantum sensing chip, by designing a sophisticated quantum system, it is possible to measure multiple physical quantities such as magnetic fields, electric fields, and temperature simultaneously, greatly improving the measurement efficiency and information acquisition ability, and providing a powerful tool for comprehensive monitoring in complex environments.

Exploration of Diverse Application Scenarios

In physics research, quantum sensing is used to accurately measure fundamental physical constants, such as the magnetic moment of the electron and the fine structure constant, helping scientists to deeply understand physical laws. In the field of chemistry, quantum sensing can be used to study the dynamic changes of molecules during chemical reactions. By accurately measuring information such as molecular energy levels and chemical bond vibrations, it reveals the microscopic mechanisms of chemical reactions and promotes the development of the chemistry discipline.

In the medical field, quantum sensing has brought new breakthroughs to disease diagnosis. Quantum dot-based biosensors can highly sensitively detect trace biomarkers in the blood, enabling early diagnosis of cancers, cardiovascular diseases, etc. Quantum magnetometers can be used to detect the body's biomagnetic fields and draw high-precision magnetoencephalograms and magnetocardiograms, helping doctors to more accurately locate the diseased parts and develop personalized treatment plans. In life science research, quantum sensing technology can real-timely observe the biological processes within single cells, study mechanisms such as intracellular material transport and signal transduction, and provide important technical support for the development of life sciences.

In geological exploration, quantum sensing technology can detect weak magnetic fields and gravity anomalies deep underground, helping geologists to more accurately map the underground geological structure and search for resources such as oil, natural gas, and minerals. Quantum sensors can also be used for environmental monitoring, highly sensitively detecting trace pollutants in the atmosphere and harmful substances in water bodies, and real-timely monitoring environmental quality changes to provide data support for environmental protection and ecological governance.

In the national defense field, quantum sensing technology can be used for submarine detection, landmine detection, etc. Quantum magnetometers can detect the weak magnetic fields generated by the metal hulls of submarines, enabling long-distance detection of submarines; quantum radar uses the unique properties of quantum states to improve the detection sensitivity and anti-jamming ability of radar, enhancing the national defense early warning capability. In the security field, quantum sensing technology can be used for explosive detection, drug detection, etc. By analyzing the quantum characteristics of target substances, it can quickly and accurately identify dangerous items.