Quantum Sensing for Energy Applications: Review and Perspective

Abstract

On its revolutionary threshold, quantum sensing is creating potentially transformative opportunities to exploit intricate quantum mechanical phenomena in new ways to make ultrasensitive measurements of multiple parameters. Concurrently, growing interest in quantum sensing has created opportunities for its deployment to improve processes pertaining to energy production, distribution, and consumption. Safe and secure utilization of energy is dependent upon addressing challenges related to material stability and function, secure monitoring of infrastructure, and accuracy in detection and measurement. A summary of well‐established and emerging quantum sensing materials and techniques, as well as the corresponding sensing platforms that have been developed for their deployment is provided here. Specifically, the enhancement of existing advanced sensing technologies with quantum methods and materials is focused on, enabling the realization of an unprecedented level of sensitivity, placing an emphasis on relevance to the energy industry. The review concludes with a discussion on high‐value applications of quantum sensing to the energy sector, as well as remaining barriers to sensor deployment.

Quantum Computing and Simulations for Energy Applications: Review and Perspective

“…As part of the quantum error correction, several redundant physical qubits are required to encode a single Table 1. Four Pillars of Quantum Information Sciences four pillars definitions main attributes application quantum computing exploitation of collective properties of quantum states, such as superposition and entanglement, to perform the computation 10 qubit, quantum computer, quantum algorithm, analog and gate-based quantum computing 11 computations surpassing classical capabilities 12 quantum simulations using a "controllable quantum system to study another less controllable or accessible quantum system"; quantum simulation could be implemented with analog devices that would be easier to construct than quantum computers 13 programmable physical many-body quantum system such as spin-based system, quantum simulator quantum chemistry problems, quantum many-body problems, superconductivity, spin liquid in polar molecules, quantum walks in superconducting qubits 14 quantum sensing use of a quantum system, quantum properties, or quantum phenomena (coherence, entanglement) to perform a measurement of a physical quantity 15,16 exploitation of quantum attributes of the coherent or entangled state sensing beyond classical limits, atom interferometer, atom magnetometer, Rydberg atoms, atomic clocks, atom interferometer 11 quantum networking transmitting information with the help of "entangled" particleswhose quantum state cannot be described independently, even when they are separated by a large distance 17 logical qubit. The interconnect that addresses each qubit residing at 10 mK passes through a cryogenic dilution temperature of 4.2 mK followed by different levels all the way to ambient temperature.…”

“…299,300 Quantum simulation may also be used to improve the performance of quantum sensing technologies; for example, a quantum simulator has been used to gain new insights into the entanglement between nitrogen vacancy centers in diamond, 301 which is a widely used material for quantum sensing applications. 15,302,303 Additionally, quantum machine learning techniques have shown promise for image classification in remote sensing applications. 300,304 Simulating material properties and performance is also crucial for sensor design; for example, complex systems such as MOFs are widely used for the sensitive detection of gases and ions.…”

“…In previous work, 15 we summarized the current status and future outlook of quantum sensing for energy applications. Here, we focus on summarizing the current status of quantum computing and simulations and their applications in the energy sector.…”

Topological Properties and Characterizations

“…Eventually, a new generation of technology based on quantum control will be created. It is expected that this technology will have features that are not available in modern technologies such as good coherence [210], quantum sensing [211,212], integrated control, fast operation, functional integration, and low power consumption. The implications of the landscape topology for practical quantum control efforts are called topological quantum control.…”

“…All Boolean function can be implemented using NOR gate [316,318]. This can be used to form the quantum computer CPU described in section 3.3 and quantun sensing [211,212]. With this kind of device, various type of energy such as heat, photons and charges can also be redistributed among different biological cells with logical gate control as described in [338,339], this will further enhance the potentiality of therapeutic effects.…”