A Perspective on Quantum Sensors from Basic Research to Commercial Applications

TL;DR

This paper reviews the development, operation, and commercialization of various quantum sensors, highlighting their improved performance and progress toward practical applications in inertial, gravitational, and electromagnetic measurements.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of quantum sensor types, their underlying principles, and recent advancements in packaging them into commercial products.

Findings

Quantum sensors offer enhanced precision and stability over classical sensors.

Several quantum sensors are now commercially available or nearing commercialization.

Progress has been made in integrating quantum sensors into practical devices for various applications.

Abstract

Quantum sensors represent a new generation of sensors with improved precision, accuracy, stability, and robustness to environmental effects compared to their classical predecessors. After decades of laboratory development, several types of quantum sensors are now commercially available or are part-way through the commercialization process. This article provides a brief description of the operation of a selection of quantum sensors that employ the principles of atom-light interactions and discusses progress toward packaging those sensors into products. This article covers quantum inertial and gravitational sensors, including gyroscopes, accelerometers, gravimeters, and gravity gradiometers that employ atom interferometry, nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscopes, atomic and spin-defect magnetometers, and Rydberg electric field sensors.