Quantum( SENSING) leap ZOOM
Standardization in the field of quantum technologies is developed by the IEC / ISO JTC 3.
Standardization and Metrology: The QADeT and NoQTeS initiatives
Metrology, the science of measurement, is a building block for an industrialised and increasingly globalised and digital society: Reliable measurements are essential for innovation in industry, research, trade and regulation. New societal challenges and emerging technologies increase the need for accurate, precise, and trustworthy measurements and thus for novel measurement capabilities. The European Metrology Partnership aims to support the competitiveness, and economic growth of the European quantum industry.
Among the European metrology projects funded in the field of quantum technologies, INRIM is coordinating the European Metrology Partnership project“ Normating colour-center-based quantum sensing technology towards industrial application and standards”( NoQTeS), kicking off in 2024, which is the follow-up of the previous EMPIR project“ Quantum Sensors for Metrology based on single-atom-like Device Technology”( QADeT, 2021-2024). Both projects are closely connected to the strategies of the“ Quantum Photonics” sector of the“ European Metrology Network for Quantum Technologies”( EURAMET EMN-Q), a network that provides an active coordination of metrology research to support the competitiveness of the European industry in the field of quantum technologies.
QADeT project, targeting the development of NV quantum sensors of industrial interest, was notably successful in terms of output and impact, having led to more than 30 peer-reviewed publications, above 90 contributions to international conferences, several connections with stakeholders and Quantum Flagship consortia. Furthermore, experts of QADeT consortium were involved since the starting of FGQT and JTC22.
NoQTeS project is intended to move forward from QADeT and have a lead in the development of standards for color center-based quantum sensors.
The objectives of NoQTeS project are:
• To implement reference methods to produce of NV-based sensors and to develop methods for the standardised characterisation of NV-based sensors.
• To develop and validate reproducible procedures for producing and testing non-NV sensors / single photon emitters( e. g. novel defects in diamond, point defects in Si, SiC, 2D materials( hBN), semiconductor quantum dots( e. g. InAs, etc.).
• To extend current techniques and methods for the production of sensors based on colour centers in diamond, with enhanced performance.
The methods used within the project are controlled ion implantation and advanced photoluminescence microscopy and ODMR, while the sensors to be investigated are Optically active Point defects( NV or otherwise) in diamond, Silicon, quantum dots, etc. The consortium has a strong point of well-established collaboration in color center based quantum sensing( academic & industrial) through previous JRP QADeT and huge availability of ion implanting and characterization facilities.
A TRL sprint: Horizon Europe PROMISE
Several projects funded by the European Commission have focused on developing NV centers as quantum sensors to impact the industrial sector through various prototypes and SMEs. Diadems, funded in 2013 for five years, aimed to advance the NV technology. The consortium of 15 partners grew to 23 in Asteriqs from 2018 and 2022. One relevant outcome of those consortia was the commercialization of a single NV scanning system by two Swiss startups, Qnami and QZabre. Their instrument combines the high spatial resolution of atomic force microscopy with the sensitivity of a single NV center at the apex of a tip connected to a scanning tuning fork.
Horizon Europe in its vision and ambition to facilitate market uptake, has moved quantum sensing to pilot lines where NVsensing technologies are present in Qu- Test and Qu-Pilot. Also, Innovation Action projects such as AMADEUS, ACDC _ Q and PROMISE are three of the examples with the aim to reach high TRL.
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