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Precision measurement

Sensing past the quantum limit

Nature volume 547, pages 164–165 (2017)Cite this article

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Quantum physics ultimately constrains how well sensors of position, speed and acceleration can perform. A hybrid quantum system that avoids these constraints could give rise to improved sensor technologies. See Letter p.191

In quantum physics, even the act of looking can have dramatic consequences. For instance, it can kill the cat in Schrödinger's classic thought experiment. This feature limits the performance of sensors such as gravitational-wave detectors and high-precision accelerometers. On page 191, Møller et al.1 show that these limits can be avoided in engineered quantum systems that have a 'negative-mass' component — one that, when pushed in a particular direction, counter-intuitively accelerates in the opposite direction. The authors' demonstration paves the way for sensor technologies that perform beyond the usual limits of quantum physics.

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Figure 1: Quantum back-action noise avoided.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems, School of Mathematics and Physics, University of Queensland, St Lucia, 4072, Queensland, Australia

    Christopher G. Baker & Warwick P. Bowen

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  1. Christopher G. Baker
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  2. Warwick P. Bowen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Warwick P. Bowen.

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Baker, C., Bowen, W. Sensing past the quantum limit. Nature 547, 164–165 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/547164a

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