Quantum sensing for particle physics

TL;DR

Quantum sensing leverages quantum mechanics to enhance measurements in particle physics, enabling new explorations of fundamental particles, symmetries, dark matter, and cosmology with advanced sensor technologies.

Contribution

This paper reviews how quantum sensing technologies can be applied to particle physics, highlighting new experimental opportunities and potential for discovering new physics phenomena.

Findings

Quantum sensors can improve detection sensitivity for neutrinos and dark matter.

Quantum techniques enable tests of fundamental symmetries with higher precision.

Emerging sensor technologies include atom interferometry and atomic clocks.

Abstract

Quantum sensing is a rapidly growing approach to probe fundamental physics and explore new phase space for possible new physics with precision and highly sensitive measurements in our quest to understand the deep structure of matter and its interactions. This field uses properties of quantum mechanics in the detectors to go beyond traditional measurement techniques. Key particle physics topics where quantum sensing can play a vital role include neutrino properties, tests of fundamental symmetries (Lorentz invariance and the equivalence principle as well as searches for electric dipole moments and possible variations in fundamental constants), the search for dark matter and testing ideas about the nature of dark energy. Interesting new sensor technologies include atom interferometry, optomechanical devices, and atomic and nuclear clocks including with entanglement. This Perspective explores the opportunities for these technologies in future particle physics experiments, opening new windows on the structure of the Universe.