Quantum Sensing

As a future capability, quantum sensing has the potential to be revolutionary in advancing the accuracy and precision of science measurements, of Earth and beyond. By utilizing various properties of quantum mechanics — entanglement, superposition, interference, squeezing, etc. — quantum sensing technologies may offer significant advantages over traditional sensing methods, reducing measurement uncertainties  and potentially lowering size, weight, power, and cost of future missions. ESTO technology investments in quantum sensing also serve the national goal to establish U.S. leadership.

ESTO held a quantum sensing Technical Interchange Meeting in June 2024 at the NASA Ames Research Center. Get the report: Toward Quantum Enhanced Sensing and Measurements for Earth Observation in 2040

The Quantum Gravity Gradiometer Pathfinder

In 2024, NASA initiated a focused effort to develop a Quantum Gravity Gradiometer (QGG) pathfinder instrument, with the aim to deliver an instrument for on-orbit testing NET 2030. This work is managed by NASA ESTO and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory serves as the project lead, with significant contributions from NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, University of Texas Austin, and U.S. industry partners.

Using cold atom interferometry, a QGG has the potential to collect more precise measurements of Earth’s gravitational field than existing methods – such as the Satellite-to-Satellite Tracking (SST) utilized by NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) and GRACE-Follow On missions – and could do so from a single satellite. The QGG pathfinder will demonstrate  critical technologies and the observation technique, using an architecture that could lead to a science-grade instrument. A QGG could significantly improve upon the resolution of a GRACE-class measurement.

Science background: Changes in how mass is distributed on and beneath Earth’s surface, particularly in the form of water and ice, are fundamental indicators of the large-scale dynamics of the planet. By measuring tiny gravitational changes over timescales of days to months to years, scientists can observe the movement of ice sheets and glaciers; monitor the rise and fall of underground aquifers; detect changes in the levels and currents of the oceans; gauge the amount of water in large lakes and rivers; and even discern underground features of interest. Gravity measurements are critical to drought monitoring, water management, flood potential, and many other applications that have important implications for agriculture, industry, security, and everyday life.

Single source design of the pathfinder payload based on a Rubidium source. (Credit: NASA JPL)

Additional Quantum Sensing Investments

ESTO has made numerous investments in quantum sensing instruments, components, and design studies, normally through the Instrument Incubator Program (IIP) and the Advanced Component Technology (ACT) program. A few selected, active projects are as follows:

• Low-power Integrated Acousto-Optics for Atomic Quantum Sensors
  – Peter Rakich, Yale University
  Acousto-optical subsystems for manipulating atomic states, an essential milestone for developing space-based atom interferometers.
• Quantum Atomic Rydberg Radiometer for Earth Measurements (QuARREM)
  – Shane Verploegh, ColdQuanta, Inc.
  A novel vapor cell for eliciting and controlling Rydberg atoms, which is essential for developing new radar instruments.
• Low SWaP-C Modular Laser Architecture for Laser-Cooled Quantum Sensors and Atomic Clocks
  – Kurt Vogel, Vescent Photonics, LLC.
  A compact laser system for space-based, light-pulse atom interferometry, a key subsystem for space-based quantum gravity gradiometers.
• Rydberg Radar: A quantum architecture covering the radio window for multi-science signal of opportunity remote sensing
  – Darmindra Arumugam, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
  Instrument concepts for CubeSat-based Rydberg Radar instruments, which could dramatically improve researchers’ ability to measure targets like snow, vegetation, and ocean winds.
• Quantum Parametric Mode Sorting (QPMS) Lidar
  – Carl Weimer, BAE Systems
  New lidar technique that leverages quantum frequency conversion to minimize background noise.