Beyond Qubits: Multilevel Quantum Sensing for Dark Matter

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that using multilevel quantum systems like qutrits significantly enhances the sensitivity of quantum sensors in dark matter detection, surpassing traditional qubit-based methods.

Contribution

It introduces a universal qutrit framework that improves quantum Fisher information and sensitivity, expanding quantum sensing capabilities for fundamental physics.

Findings

Fourfold increase in quantum Fisher information with qutrits

Twofold gain in sensitivity for quantum sensing

Enhanced dark matter detection reach with spin-1 NV-center qutrits

Abstract

Quantum sensing with qubits has advanced fundamental physics searches, but higher dimensional systems offer untapped potential. We present a universal qutrit framework that yields a sequence-independent fourfold increase in quantum Fisher information and a twofold gain in sensitivity. In ultralight dark matter searches, spin-1 NV-center qutrits can enhance the axion-electron coupling reach by an order of magnitude beyond qubits. This principle applies broadly to multilevel quantum systems including superconducting, neutral atom and trapped-ion qutrits, establishing higher dimensional sensing as a powerful tool for probing new physics.