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GCRI · 量子技术

量子传感

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.

02问题

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.

机制

Atoms keep precise time

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

机制

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.

机制

Defects sense magnetic fields

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

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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.

03监测

Quantum testbed.

团队跟踪该主题时会使用的界面:其指标、状态与决策。名称为示例,数值仅作示意。

Quantum testbed

Quantum sensing · Testbed lab · Device QD-91

Calibration cycleGCRI · 量子技术

量子比特

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

Device

Topology
heavy-hex, illustrative
2Q fidelity
0.994
访问
by committee
标签
观测
Quantum testbed: the screen’s structure, terms and states for Quantum sensing.示例名称和示意数值;是设计方案,并非记录或实时系统。
04跨领域

Quantum sensors could change measurement in several domains.

05方法与证据

How quantum sensing is modelled, measured and tested.

模型、其假设、数据和不确定性,以科学家或工程师会核查的形式呈现。结构遵循已发表的方法。所取数值仅为示意,不是研究发现。

系统模型

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

++−+量子网络社区经济R 增强B 平衡
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.
FAIR 指导原则 · GO FAIR 和 FORCE11W3C PROV · 万维网联盟关于一致处理不确定性的指南 · IPCCCEOS 分析就绪数据 · 地球观测卫星委员会
06指标

衡量什么,以及衡量得如何。

每个指标都注明其单位、频率、背后的来源类型以及数值将附带的证据标签。此处不显示数值:数值由计划依据其自身权限提供。

指标单位节奏来源类型标签
Clock fractional frequency uncertaintydimensionlessper publicationMetrology institute results观测
Sensor sensitivityunits per square root of hertzper devicePublished characterisation已报告
Field trials of quantum navigation计数年度Agency and research reports已报告
Technology readiness level by applicationreadiness level每次评估Expert assessments估算
Size, weight and power of deployed sensorskilograms and wattsper deviceProduct specifications已声明
Commercially available quantum sensor productscount by type年度Market surveys已报告
07来源

证据来自何处。

具名公共数据集与机构记录,各自注明许可类别。依协议获得的来源仅按其条款使用,绝不再次发布。

来源它提供什么许可类别
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)
08决定

由谁决定,以及证据服务于什么。

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

谁来决定问题本页面服务的证据
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 系统Where quantum sensors offer practical benefitApplication comparisons

该主题产生的产出

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

专家提出的问题。

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?
10机制

机制与驱动因素。

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 系统 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.

11方法与数据

如何研究,以及方法止于何处。

方法或数据显示内容局限
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
12方法

如何研究,以及方法无法说明的内容。

  1. 物理学与量子科学量子比特噪声表征 · 量子钟计量 · 量子效应验证在此应用
  2. 量子计算、传感与通信可比的基准测试 · 技术就绪度评估 · 安全影响跟踪在此应用
  3. 概率与统计保真度估计 · 优势声明检验 · 专利与投资数据分析在此应用
  4. 材料科学与化学延长相干时间的材料 · 制造差异 · 量子化学用例在此应用
13Where this page’s references

Where this page’s references lead.

阅读本页时所对照的机构和文件。状态和版本会变化;每个链接都指向发布机构。

14问题

问题与解答。

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.
报告贡献

从本页贡献证据。

报告 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.

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