Snowmass 2021: Quantum Sensors for HEP Science -- Interferometers, Mechanics, Traps, and Clocks

Abstract

A wide range of quantum sensing technologies are rapidly being integrated into the experimental portfolio of the high energy physics community. Here we focus on sensing with atomic interferometers; mechanical devices read out with optical or microwave fields; precision spectroscopic methods with atomic, nuclear, and molecular systems; and trapped atoms and ions. We give a variety of detection targets relevant to particle physics for which these systems are uniquely poised to contribute. This includes experiments at the precision frontier like measurements of the electron dipole moment and electromagnetic fine structure constant and searches for fifth forces and modifications of Newton's law of gravity at micron-to-millimeter scales. It also includes experiments relevant to the cosmic frontier, especially searches for gravitional waves and a wide variety of dark matter candidates spanning heavy, WIMP-scale, light, and ultra-light mass ranges. We emphasize here the need for more developments both in sensor technology and integration into the broader particle physics community.

Gravitational time dilation as a resource in quantum sensing

“…The practical relevance of our findings is still limited, given the currently available coherence of quantum clocks [33]. On the other hand, our results clearly show that gravitational time dilation may indeed represent a resource for quantum metrology, and provide a novel fundamental avenue to test the interface between quantum theory and gravity.…”