High Precision Quantum Sensing international workshop

The advent of the Second Quantum Revolution continues to generate worldwide interest from industry and government to develop quantum technologies, which provide strategic capabilities for the security, health and wellbeing of our society.

The University’s Quantum Science and Technology Hub (QSTH), directed by Dr Vincenzo Tamma, explores the interface between the fundamental quantum phenomena in our Universe and their application in quantum information science, from the development of quantum simulators and high-precision quantum sensors to secure and efficient long distance communication.

In particular, quantum sensors with continuously evolving precision are essential in applications such as the characterisation of biological tissues for medical diagnosis, high-precision navigation systems, transportation, characterisation of underground composition for geological and environmental applications. Industries and governments are very keen to develop quantum sensors exceeding the precision capabilities of any standard classical sensor.

The QSTH recently held an international workshop ‘High Precision Quantum sensing’, organised in collaboration with the School of Mathematics and Physics and the Institute of Cosmology and Gravitation, by Dr Tamma and Professor David Bacon.

The workshop was a blended event with both face-to-face and virtual talks, focusing on a wide range of aspects of high precision quantum metrology, including routes toward prototypes of novel quantum technologies for high precision sensing, biomedical and environmental applications and fundamental studies at the interface between quantum physics, cosmology and gravitation.

Dr Tamma said: “The workshop also provided an overview of the exciting research activities at the QSTH, including talks from QSTH staff members. The QSTH uniquely aims to connect the University's experts in quantum science and technology with other research groups around the world, as well as with staff members in related interdisciplinary areas across the University, such as cosmology and gravitation, artificial intelligence, mathematics, biomedical engineering, computing and environmental science.”

The workshop included invited lectures from scientists, both in person and virtually, from the UK, Europe and the US to further discussions and ideas for national and international collaborations. This open sharing of ideas is already prompting international collaborative projects, involving both academia and industry.