Quantum sensors can detect extremely small changes in magnetic fields, temperature, acceleration, pressure, electric fields, or other physical parameters. Time, motion, gravity, electric and magnetic fields, current, and light are the main phenomena that quantum sensors are concerned with measuring – and on the smallest possible scale.
The field of quantum sensing is concerned with the design and engineering of quantum sources and quantum measurements that are able to improve upon the performance of conventional technological applications.
A review of the technology has been presented in IDTechEx’s report, “Quantum Sensors Market 2025-2045: Technology, Trends, Players, Forecasts“. As well as technological developments, the report indicates how the quantum sensor market is expected to reach US$2.2 billion in 2045.
Defenition
Quantum sensors get their name from their ability to measure on a quantum scale the smallest known parts of the universe, including atoms and other tiny particles, some of which were unknown before the introduction of this technology. Due to this, sensors exhibit incredible sensitivity, orders of magnitude higher than regular sensors, and have a high market value as a result, prioritizing quality over quantity with high-performance sensing.
Main types
Three entities are outlined in the report that can be used to categorize the quantum sensor market: physical quantities, the system used, and industry applications. Technology developers are expected to have the most relevant interest in the physical quantity that quantum sensors can measure, as it determines to an extent the capabilities of the technology and whether it is a worthwhile investment. Physical quantity is also a frequently used categorization.
Materials and components used within the sensors make up the systems on which quantum sensors are built, which are necessary to consider when evaluating challenges with manufacturing processes and for making comparisons with other existing technologies. Market drivers and competition go hand in hand with such comparisons made to current solutions, as they are vital for understanding the place of quantum sensors within the industry and where the most relevance will lie for end users.
Examples of sensors include: Bench-top alkali atomic clocks, rack mountable optical atomic clocks, and alkali chip-scale atomic clocks, which are three examples of time sensors alone. Some named well-established magnetic field sensors then include superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs), and NV diamond magnetometers (NVMs).
In addition, there are quantum gravimeters, inertial quantum sensors, quantum RF sensors, and single-photon detectors.
The next two decades of quantum sensing
As to the future? 33 billion tunneling magnetoresistances (TMR) magnetic field sensors are expected to be deployed by 2045, making up the largest application by far for the quantum sensor market. TMR sensors have already matured to a low-cost, chip-scale solution and are seeing deployment in high-volume markets such as consumer electronics and automotive.
A further 8.3 million quantum sensors, excluding TMR sensors, are also expected to be deployed at this time, with atomic clocks, primarily used within autonomous vehicles, taking up the largest market share. Single photon detectors for quantum computing will come a close second, while magnetic field sensors for biomedical imaging and quantum computing are expected to take up the third largest share.
