Quantum sensor networks

 

Measuring quantities is at the heart of all Natural Sciences, but is also of central importance for technological applications. Using quantum systems for this task promises a vastly more efficient use of available resources, where a quadratic improvement in achievable precision is possible – the so-called Heisenberg limit. However, the influence of noise and imperfections threatens this quantum advantage, and it is hence relevant to investigate the effect of imperfections, and find ways to mitigate and overcome noise.

We are interested in the development of sensing protocols for different tasks, where we study optimal resource states and protocols, as well as noise effects and ways to overcome them. Of particular relevance are quantum sensor networks, where multiple sensors at different positions are combined to form a sensor network that is capable to directly sense spatially correlated quantities – e.g. field gradients or a signal from a specific source. Such sensor network can be of small scale, e.g. multiple ions in a single ion trap, but also of global scale where sensors may be located at different locations several (thousand) kilometers apart. We have found schemes to make such sensor networks sensitive only to particular signals solely by choosing proper entangled states, while being insensitive to signals with a different spatial correlation – and hence also to noise of this kind. Multipartite entangled states are of central importance in this respect, and we aim to identify suitable states, find their optimal usage and ways to generate, maintain and utilize them.

 


 

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