Durham hosted New Frontiers in Quantum-Enhanced Sensing and Metrology international workshop

Quantum sensors are already transforming how we measure the world, with current devices being developed for navigation in GPS-denied environments, probing the inner workings of biological cells, and testing the fundamental laws of physics. However, this event focused on how we move beyond these early successes to build next-generation devices that exploit quantum mechanics to its fullest extent. To address these challenges, the workshop brought together experts working across three key frontiers: translating quantum sensors into practical technologies, developing new theoretical frameworks for quantum-enhanced metrology, and advancing the quantum control, detection and entanglement needed to realise the full potential of quantum sensing.

Led by Dr Alex Guttridge, the workshop was a key part of the UK-Canada QuSAM collaboration—a strategic partnership between Durham University and researchers at the University of Waterloo. The event brought together the UK quantum community with academics from across Europe and the United States, resulting in a diverse programme invited and contributed presentations. Across the three-day programme, a highlight beyond the 22 scientific talks was a lively discussion panel featuring experts from academia, industry, and government. Alongside attendees from funding bodies such as the STFC, the community discussed new practical applications for quantum sensors and the funding priorities required to translate these technologies from the lab to the real world.

Alongside the talks, a dedicated poster session showcased a broad spectrum of excellent early-career research. The session sparked lively discussions, and the impressive quality of the presentations led to stiff competition for the poster prizes generously sponsored by the Institute of Physics (IOP) Quantum Optics, Quantum Information and Quantum Control (QQQ) group. The prizes were awarded to William Guest (University of Manchester), Addison Okell (University of Waterloo) and Karen Wadenpfuhl (Durham University).