Quantum Detectors and Sensors

This course is a part of Quantum Technology: Detectors and Networking, a 5-course MicroMasters series from edX.

Classical detectors and sensors are ubiquitous around us from heat sensors in cars to light detectors in a camera cell phone. Leveraging advances in the theory of noise and measurement, an important paradigm of quantum metrology has emerged. Here, ultra-precision measurement devices collect maximal information from the world around us at the quantum limit. This enables a new frontier of perception that promises to impact machine learning, autonomous navigation, surveillance strategies, information processing, and communication systems.

Students in this in-depth course will learn the fundamentals about state-of-the-art quantum detectors and sensors. They will also learn about quantum noise and how it limits quantum devices. The primary goal of the course is to empower students with a critical and deep understanding of emerging applications at the quantum-classical boundary. This will allow them to adopt quantum detectors and sensors for their own endeavors.

What you'll learn

• Theory of quantum noise
• Superconducting single photon detectors
• Foundations of Quantum metrology
• Operating principles of quantum vs. classical detectors
• Quantum sensing devices including magnetometers and interferometers
• Theory of quantum coherence