Metasurface optical chip could expand use of quantum sensors

Quantum sensing systems could be less cumbersome and applied more widely with a metasurface optical chip developed at the Birmingham University led UK Quantum Technology Hub.

Sensing devices have a range of industrial uses - from carrying out ground surveys to monitoring volcanoes – and scientists are developing ways to improve their sensitivity with quantum technologies that are based on cold atoms. Machines using quantum technology are, however, bulky and difficult to transport, making current designs unsuitable for most industrial uses.

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According to Birmingham University, the researchers have used a new approach that will enable quantum sensors to shrink to a fraction of their current size. The research was conducted by an international team led by Birmingham University and SUSTech in China in collaboration with Paderborn University in Germany. Their results are published in Science Advances.