ETIT-OVE High-Profile Lecture Series: Quantum Inside

This edition of the High-Profile Lecture Series on March 17, 2026 deals with the topic "Quantum Inside: How Lab Experiments Become Daily Products"

Speaker: Dr. André Kretschmann (Bosch)

In the quest for enhanced sensitivity and accuracy in sensor technology, traditional MEMS sensors face inherent limitations that necessitate the exploration of advanced alternatives. Quantum technologies have emerged as a revolutionary field, promising unprecedented advancements in various domains, particularly in sensing applications. By leveraging qubits to interrogate the environment, quantum sensors offer significant advantages over classical counterparts, including unprecedented precision and sensitivity.

One promising approach in quantum sensing involves the use of alkali vapor cells with xenon as gyroscopes. These gyroscopes operate based on the principles of atomic spin precession, where the interaction of alkali atoms with xenon gas allows for highly accurate measurements of rotational motion. The system architecture typically includes a laser to polarize the atoms, a magnetic field to induce precession, and detectors to measure the resulting signals. Applications of these gyroscopes span from navigation systems in autonomous vehicles to precision instrumentation in aerospace.

Another cutting-edge quantum sensing technology involves nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond as magnetometers. NV centers are defects in the diamond lattice that exhibit remarkable sensitivity to magnetic fields while giving full access to the vectorial information of the magnetic field. The working principle involves optically detecting the spin state of the NV centers, which changes in response to external magnetic fields. The system architecture includes a laser for spin initialization and readout, microwave sources for spin manipulation, and photodetectors for signal acquisition. There are numerous applications of highly sensitive NV center magnetometers ranging from medical uses cases like magnetocardiography to EV battery monitoring and geological exploration.

The journey from laboratory research to industrialization of quantum sensors presents several challenges and success factors. At Bosch, we have established an internal startup to drive the development and commercialization of quantum sensors. Key challenges include ensuring the robustness and reliability of quantum devices, shrinking size and power demand, and scaling up production processes to achieve competitive cost structures. Our market strategy focuses on identifying high-impact applications devoted to our philosophy invented for life.

In conclusion, quantum sensors represent a transformative leap in sensing technology, offering capabilities that were previously unattainable with classical approaches. The advancements in alkali vapor cell gyroscopes and NV center magnetometers demonstrate the practical potential of quantum sensing. As we continue to address industrialization challenges, the integration of quantum sensors into daily life is becoming increasingly feasible. The future outlook for quantum sensors is promising, with ongoing research and development paving the way for new applications and enhanced performance across various industries.

16:30 pm Registration
17:00 pm Start of the Lecture followed by a discussion

The event is free of charge, but registration is required.

The ETIT-OVE High-Profile Lecture Series is a partner event of Vienna University of Technology (TU Wien) and OVE Austrian Electrotechnical Association.

The cover image is AI-generated.