QuSeC-TAQS: Quantum Sensor Networks for Metrology, Chemistry and Astrophysics

新量子传感器的出现允许在各种尺度上对物理世界进行前所未有的灵敏度和探索。量子传感器利用量子相干和纠缠的优势。通过利用分布在多个粒子之间的非局域相关性，量子传感器网络可以提高灵敏度，并在微观和宏观尺度上揭示目标信号的空间结构。该项目旨在开发一种协议，以展示量子传感器网络的能力。它涉及了解基本特性，进行原理验证实验，并使方法适应不同的平台和规模，以实现不同的科学应用。该项目将专注于理论概念，以描述和增强空间分布式量子传感，在多个平台上利用尖端的量子网络技术： 基于缺陷的纳米级磁共振成像，以在分子尺度上进行感知;原子钟的纠缠网络，以感知引力效应;量子增强的太赫兹天线网络，以在天文尺度上进行感知。为了实现高分辨率磁共振成像，与NV中心相关的顺磁自旋的小簇将用于纠缠增强的磁力测量和最佳控制。这种方法能够实现材料和生物系统中磁场的纳米级分辨率成像。该项目涉及开发一个纠缠时钟网络，将基于纠缠的时间反演量子计量学与原子传输相结合，同时保持纠缠。这些能力将用于感知重力梯度，寻找暗物质，并探索标准模型之外的物理学。此外，量子增强THz天线将利用里德堡原子阵列对宽频率范围（10 GHz-几个THz）电场的集体响应。通过光学连接太赫兹接收器并进行可行性研究，该团队的目标是建立全球规模的量子接收器阵列，从而有可能超越现有技术检测微弱的恒星物体。实验工作将通过新的理论方法进行补充，这些方法结合了量子信息和机器学习的最新进展，包括测量准备的量子多体状态，最优控制和机器学习优化控制。这个跨学科项目结合了量子信息，原子分子光学物理和机器学习方面的最新技术，对天体物理学，粒子物理学，生物学和化学等学科产生了广泛的影响。 该项目由量子传感器挑战量子系统变革性进展共同资助（QuSeC-TAQS）计划，天文科学部的特别项目计划，材料研究部的电子和光子材料计划，与Co-该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为是值得支持的，使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估。

The emergence of new quantum sensors allows for unprecedented levels of sensitivity and exploration of the physical world across various scales. Quantum sensors harness the advantages of quantum coherence and entanglement. By leveraging non-local correlations distributed among multiple particles, networks of quantum sensors can enhance sensitivity and reveal the spatial structure of target signals at both microscopic and macroscopic scales. This project aims to develop a protocol to showcase the capabilities of quantum sensor networks. It involves understanding fundamental properties, conducting proof-of-principle experiments, and adapting approaches to different platforms and scales for diverse scientific applications. The project will focus on theoretical concepts to describe and enhance spatially distributed quantum sensing, utilizing cutting-edge quantum networking technology on multiple platforms: diamond defect-based nanoscale magnetic-resonance imaging to sense on the molecular scale; entangled networks of atomic clocks to sense gravitational effects; and quantum enhanced THz antenna networks to sense on astronomical scales. To achieve high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging, small clusters of paramagnetic spins associated with NV centers will be utilized for entanglement-enhanced magnetometry and optimal control. This approach enables nano-scale resolution imaging of magnetic fields in materials and biological systems. This project involves developing an entangled network of clocks, combining entanglement-based time-reversal quantum metrology with atom transport while maintaining entanglement. These capabilities will be utilized for sensing gravity gradients, searching for dark matter, and exploring physics beyond the standard model. Additionally, a quantum enhanced THz antenna will utilize collective response of Rydberg atom arrays to electric fields across a broad frequency range (10GHz - few THz). By optically connecting THz receivers and conducting a feasibility study, this team aims to establish global-scale quantum receiver arrays, potentially enabling the detection of faint stellar objects beyond current technology. The experimental work will be complemented by novel theoretical methods that incorporate recent advancements in quantum information and machine learning, including measurement-prepared quantum many-body states, optimal control, and machine learning-optimized controls. This interdisciplinary project combines state-of-the-art technologies in quantum information, atomic-molecular-optical physics, and machine learning, with wide-ranging impact across disciplines such as astrophysics, particle physics, biology, and chemistry. This project was co-funded by the Quantum Sensors Challenge for Transformative Advances in Quantum Systems (QuSeC-TAQS) program, the Special Projects program in the Division of Astronomical Sciences, the Electronic and Photonic Materials program in the Division of Materials Research, and with co-funding from the Office of International Science and Engineering.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.