Engineers at the University of Michigan are leading a $9 million effort to develop entangled quantum sensor networks. By linking sensors through quantum states, the team aims to revolutionize navigation and timing with record-breaking sensitivity

a University of Michigan-led team secures $9 million from U.S. Office of Naval Research Explore the fundamental limits of quantum networking. The five-year project aims to develop sensor networks linked by quantum entanglement, a phenomenon in which particles remain connected regardless of their distance.

By utilizing these, quantum link, The team intends to develop a sensing system with unprecedented levels of accuracy and speed.

Breaking the traditional sensitivity limits

In traditional sensor networks, measurement sensitivity typically increases as the square root of the number of sensors. However, researchers believe that by exploiting entangled states, sensitivity increases by the square of the number of sensors, allowing them to achieve a “quantum leap” in performance.

“Entanglement allows us to improve the performance of sensor networks in terms of resolution,” said project leader Zheshen Zhang. This means these networks can detect more detailed information and process signals with a much higher signal-to-noise ratio than current technology. Potential applications include ultra-high precision atomic clocks, magnetic field sensing, and GPS-independent autonomous navigation systems.

Proof of theory with dual testbed

To validate their method, the multidisciplinary team will utilize two different quantum testbeds.

• Rydberg atomic arrangement:
  • These include atoms with “mobile” electrons that are highly susceptible to electric and magnetic fields. By using lasers to place these atoms into a state of quantum superposition, the team can create arrays of hundreds of qubits that instantly respond to signals as a single integrated sensor.
• Mechanical membrane:
  • The testbed uses a thin membrane that vibrates in response to light, similar to how the human eardrum responds to sound. The researchers cool these sensors to 0.1 Kelvin, near absolute zero, and link them using entangled light to suppress thermal noise.

Laying the foundation for a quantum internet

A key challenge for teams is maintaining entanglement over time. Environmental “noise” easily breaks the delicate bonds between entangled atoms, quantum advantage. This project will focus on developing error suppression and correction techniques to keep these networks stable.

The findings from this effort are expected to provide future foundational building blocks. quantum internetIn , distributed sensors and computers work together in perfect synchronization, even over vast distances.