While practical quantum computers, with their fascinating future possibilities, remain quite a distance away in the future, quantum sensors are a reality today. Yet quantum sensors are probably the least discussed part of quantum technologies.
In particular, the humble atom is nature's most powerful quantum sensor and its unparalleled precision has been harnessed for decades in atomic clocks to literally define our time. However, in order to achieve this timing precision, physicists have to shield the atoms from all unwanted external influences such as magnetic fields.
But what about influences we cannot shield against - for instance, gravity or dark matter?
In this talk for the Cambridge Festival, Professor of Many-Body Physics Ulrich Schneider explained how we can turn this apparent limitation into a new tool to explore the universe and fundamental physics.
Ulrich discussed what makes atoms so powerful as quantum sensors before taking a quick tour of the history of atoms as quantum sensors. He then took a closer look at current plans to build large-scale atom interferometers sensitive enough to detect gravitational waves, hunt for dark matter, and look for unknown physics.
