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Sensors 鈥� Quantum leap

A conceptually designed sensor could detect low-intensity light via a "squeezed" quantum state, that is, a minimum uncertainty state, offering a potential pathway to build a better infrared detector for both research and industrial applications.

October 4, 2016 - By exploiting some exotic quantum states, researchers have conceptually designed a sensor that features unparalleled sensitivity. In a paper published in , Ali Passian of Oak Ridge National Laboratory and George Siopsis of the University of Tennessee describe a photon-sensing scheme for a detector that would behave much like a miniature trampoline. The concept is based on a suspended micro-bridge, but other shapes can be considered. 鈥淧hotons hitting its surface would cause a tiny displacement that can be detected because of the quantum mechanical effect of squeezing, allowing us to minimize the movement of the sensor prior to arrival of the photons,鈥� Passian said. This approach reduces the inherent limitation caused by all objects having a motion even in their lowest energy state. The next step will be validation through laboratory experiments.