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GCRI · Tecnologías cuánticas

Detección cuántica

Quantum sensors use the sensitivity of quantum states to measure time, magnetic fields, gravity, acceleration and rotation with high precision. Atomic clocks already underpin navigation and networks; newer sensors could support navigation without satellites, medical imaging and underground mapping. This page sets out how quantum sensing works, how mature each application is, and what evidence serves the agencies and industries considering it.

02La pregunta

Quantum sensing: how the risk develops.

Measurement, navigation and Earth-science applications. The dossier below sets out how the risk develops, what is measured, where the data come from, how it is modelled and who decides.

Mecanismo

Atoms keep precise time

Atomic clocks use transitions between atomic energy levels as frequency references. They underpin satellite navigation, telecommunications and financial timestamps.

Mecanismo

Interference measures motion and gravity

Atom interferometers split and recombine matter waves to measure acceleration, rotation and gravity, with potential for navigation and subsurface mapping.

Mecanismo

Defects sense magnetic fields

Defects in diamond and other sistemas sense tiny magnetic fields at small scales, with uses in materials science and biology.

Mecanismo

Field use is hard

Laboratory sensitivity often degrades in the field because of vibration, temperature and size constraints. Ruggedising sensors is a major engineering challenge.

03Seguimiento

Quantum testbed.

La pantalla que utilizaría un equipo para seguir esta materia: sus mediciones, estados y decisiones. Los nombres son ejemplos y los valores son ilustrativos.

Quantum testbed

Quantum sensing · Testbed lab · Device QD-91

Calibration cycleGCRI · Tecnologías cuánticas

Cúbits

Q0166940.02In spec
Q1102350.04In spec
Q2178570.05Drifting
Q362320.02In spec
Q4100950.03Drifting

Device

Topology
heavy-hex, illustrative
2Q fidelity
0.994
Acceso
by committee
Etiqueta
OBSERVADO
Quantum testbed: the screen’s structure, terms and states for Quantum sensing.Nombres de ejemplo y valores ilustrativos; un diseño, no un registro ni un sistema en vivo.
04En todos los dominios

Quantum sensors could change measurement in several domains.

05Métodos y evidencia

How quantum sensing is modelled, measured and tested.

El modelo, sus supuestos, sus datos y su incertidumbre, en la forma en que un científico o un ingeniero los comprobaría. Las estructuras siguen métodos publicados. Los valores representados son ilustrativos, no hallazgos.

Modelo de sistema

The couplings between the systems in quantum sensing: signs of influence, a reinforcing and a balancing loop, and cross-links where stress jumps.

++−+CuánticaCiberComunidadesEconomíaR de refuerzoB equilibrio
Causal loop diagram from the page’s systems; signs show the direction of influence. Illustrative structure for a system dynamics or network model, not estimated couplings.
Principios rectores FAIR · GO FAIR y FORCE11W3C PROV · World Wide Web ConsortiumOrientación para un tratamiento coherente de las incertidumbres · IPCCCEOS Analysis Ready Data · Comité sobre Satélites de Observación de la Tierra
06Indicadores

Qué se mide y con qué calidad.

Cada indicador lleva su unidad, su periodicidad, el tipo de fuente que lo respalda y la etiqueta de evidencia que llevaría un valor. No se muestran valores: un programa los aporta bajo su propia autoridad.

IndicadorUnidadCadenciaTipo de fuenteEtiqueta
Clock fractional frequency uncertaintydimensionlessper publicationMetrology institute resultsOBSERVADO
Sensor sensitivityunits per square root of hertzper devicePublished characterisationNOTIFICADO
Field trials of quantum navigationrecuentoanualAgency and research reportsNOTIFICADO
Technology readiness level by applicationreadiness levelpor evaluaciónExpert assessmentsESTIMADO
Size, weight and power of deployed sensorskilograms and wattsper deviceProduct specificationsDECLARADO
Commercially available quantum sensor productscount by typeanualMarket surveysNOTIFICADO
07Fuentes

De dónde procede la evidencia.

Conjuntos de datos públicos y registros institucionales identificados, cada uno con su tipo de licencia. Las fuentes obtenidas por acuerdo solo se utilizan conforme a sus condiciones y nunca se republican.

FuenteLo que aportaTipo de licencia
BIPM and national metrology institute publicationsTime standards and clock comparisonsPublic, terms per institute
Peer-reviewed sensing literatureExperimental sensitivities and demonstrationsLicence per article
Defence and transport agency reports on alternative navigationAssessments of quantum navigation optionsPublic, terms per agency
OECD quantum technologies policy workOverview of sensing applications and policyPublic, OECD terms
Market surveys of quantum sensingProducts and firmsCommercial; public summaries (to check)
08Decisiones

Quién decide y a qué sirve la evidencia.

Quantum Technologies prepares evidence. The decisions below are taken by the authorities named, under their own rules, and never by the platform.

Quién decideLa preguntaEvidencia a la que sirve esta página
Transport and navigation authoritiesWhether quantum sensors can reduce dependence on satellite navigationReadiness assessments; field trial evidence
Metrology institutesHow to develop and disseminate time and frequency standardsClock performance evidence
Industry and health sistemasWhere quantum sensors offer practical benefitApplication comparisons

Productos que genera este tema

  • Readiness assessments by sensing application
  • Comparisons of quantum and classical sensor options
  • Evidence notes on navigation resilience
  • Field trial review frameworks
09Cuestiones centrales

Lo que se preguntan los expertos.

Sensing questions concern precision, robustness and use outside the laboratory.

  • How much better than classical instruments is a quantum sensor in real operating conditions?
  • Can it be made small, robust and affordable enough for field use?
  • Could quantum inertial sensors and clocks provide navigation when satellite signals are lost or jammed?
  • What could quantum gravimeters and magnetometers reveal about groundwater, geology and infrastructure?
  • What are the dual-use implications, for example for detecting submarines or underground structures?
10Mecanismos

Mecanismos y factores impulsores.

Quantum sensors exploit the fact that quantum states are disturbed by tiny changes in their environment. Atomic clocks measure time by the frequency of atomic transitions. Atom interferometers split and recombine clouds of cold atoms to measure acceleration and gravity. Defects in diamond and other materials act as nanoscale magnetometers. The same sensitivity that gives precision also makes sensors vulnerable to noise, vibration and temperature changes.

The step from laboratory to field is the main challenge. Many quantum sensors require lasers, vacuum sistemas and careful isolation. Engineering progress is reducing size and power, but performance in a moving vehicle or harsh environment is often well below laboratory results.

11Métodos y datos

Cómo se estudia y dónde terminan los métodos.

Método o datosLo que muestraLímites
Laboratory metrologyFundamental sensitivity and stabilityLaboratory performance rarely transfers directly to the field
Field trialsPerformance in vehicles, aircraft, boreholes or shipsFew trials, often reported by developers
Comparison with classical sensorsWhether the quantum device adds real valueClassical sensors also improve
Earth observation data fusionCombining quantum gravimetry with satellite and ground dataInterpretation depends on geophysical models
13Where this page’s references

Where this page’s references lead.

Los organismos y documentos con los que se lee esta página. El estado y las ediciones cambian; cada enlace lleva al organismo emisor.

14Preguntas

Preguntas y respuestas.

What is a quantum sensor?
A device that uses quantum states, such as atomic energy levels or superposition, to measure physical quantities with high precision.
Are atomic clocks quantum technology?
Yes. They use quantum transitions in atoms and have been in use for decades, underpinning satellite navigation and network timing.
Can quantum sensors replace GPS?
Quantum inertial sensors and clocks could support navigation when satellite signals are unavailable, but field systems are still being developed and tested.
Is quantum sensing already in use?
Yes, in some forms. Atomic clocks are long established. Newer sensors such as quantum gravimeters and magnetometers are in research, trials and early commercial use.
Could quantum sensors replace satellite navigation?
Not entirely. Quantum inertial sensors could reduce drift when satellite signals are unavailable, but they measure motion relative to a starting point and still accumulate some error over time.
Why is sensing considered dual use?
Because the same precision that helps map groundwater could detect hidden objects or structures. That raises questions of export control and responsible use.
serie ReportsContribuir

Aporte evidencia desde esta página.

serie Reports is the Consortium’s quarterly publication. What you know about this subject can become evidence, a case or a correction in the next edition, credited to you and published under CC BY 4.0 where it is your own work.

GCRITecnologías cuánticasTecnología exponencialPerspectiva prospectiva
Tecnologías cuánticas

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