To encourage the adoption of quantum sensors in industry, Fraunhofer IAF has developed a virtual application laboratory for quantum sensing—an interactive platform offering in-depth technical knowledge on quantum magnetometers, their applications, and measurement scenarios.
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This online resource allows industry professionals and researchers to explore quantum sensing through sample measurements and assess its potential for their specific needs.
Quantum sensors enable highly precise measurements, making them valuable in fields like materials testing, the semiconductor industry, and biomedicine.
With our virtual application lab for quantum sensing, we support industry and science in exploring the possibilities of quantum sensors and evaluating solutions for specific application scenarios. This platform makes our technologies and expertise available to a broad audience and promotes the transfer of our research results into industrial innovations.
Deborah Mohrmann, Project Manager and Business Developer, Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF
Explore and Test Quantum Sensors
The virtual application lab at Fraunhofer IAF offers an in-depth look at quantum sensors and their potential applications. It showcases three quantum magnetometers, providing detailed technical insights and explanations of their measurement principles.
At the heart of the lab are interactive measurement scenarios spanning materials testing, micro- and nanoelectronics, and biomedicine. Users can explore various measurement setups, analyze individual results, or review comprehensive evaluations. Whether detecting nanoparticles in biological tissue, identifying cracks in metallic samples, or mapping magnetic fields in microelectronic circuits, these quantum magnetometers reveal magnetic field distributions at an incredibly fine scale, delivering valuable insights into each sample.
Easy Access to Expert Knowledge
The virtual application lab for quantum sensing offers companies and institutions easy access to the latest expertise on quantum sensors—their functionality, applications, and potential benefits. It allows users to explore how these advanced devices could meet their specific needs. An accompanying website provides extensive information on quantum sensing, along with insights into various use cases. Additionally, professional contacts from research and technology transfer are available to offer guidance and expertise.
Fraunhofer IAF developed both the content and technical concept of the virtual application lab, while the Service Center Training and Knowledge Transfer at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE handled the technical implementation. The initiative was funded by the State of Baden-Württemberg, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, and Fraunhofer IAF’s own resources.
On-Site Testing
Fraunhofer IAF has also established a physical application laboratory for quantum sensing at its facility in Freiburg, Germany. This lab offers companies, SMEs, and start-ups the opportunity to conduct on-site magnetic field measurements using their own samples and evaluate the potential of quantum magnetometers for their applications.
At Fraunhofer IAF, quantum magnetometers are based on nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond. These single-atom systems serve as highly sensitive magnetic field sensors, capable of operating at room temperature and in background fields while achieving extremely high spatial resolution. These characteristics make them particularly well-suited for industrial applications.