Skip to main content

PurdueX: Quantum Detectors and Sensors

Learn how to analyze and design quantum sensors and devices that extract maximal information from the world around us.

17 weeks
6–9 hours per week
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule
This course is archived

About this course

Skip About this course

Classical detectors and sensors are ubiquitous around us from heat sensors in cars to light detectors in a camera cell phone. Leveraging advances in the theory of noise and measurement, an important paradigm of quantum metrology has emerged. Here, ultra-precision measurement devices collect maximal information from the world around us at the quantum limit. This enables a new frontier of perception that promises to impact machine learning, autonomous navigation, surveillance strategies, information processing, and communication systems.

Students in this in-depth course will learn the fundamentals about state-of-the-art quantum detectors and sensors. They will also learn about quantum noise and how it limits quantum devices. The primary goal of the course is to empower students with a critical and deep understanding of emerging applications at the quantum-classical boundary. This will allow them to adopt quantum detectors and sensors for their own endeavors.

At a glance

  • Institution: PurdueX
  • Subject: Engineering
  • Level: Advanced
  • Prerequisites:

    Students should be familiar with the fundamentals of electromagnetic fields and possess a basic understanding of differential equations.

What you'll learn

Skip What you'll learn
  • Theory of quantum noise
  • Superconducting single photon detectors
  • Foundations of Quantum metrology
  • Operating principles of quantum vs. classical detectors
  • Quantum sensing devices including magnetometers and interferometers
  • Theory of quantum coherence

Module 1: Quantum Noise

  • Bosons vs. Fermions
  • Bosonic Harmonic Oscillator
  • Two-Level Atoms
  • Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem
  • Vacuum Fluctuations

Module 2: Quantum Detectors

  • Classical Detectors
  • Single Photon Avalanche Detectors
  • Superconducting Detectors
  • Quantum Interference
  • Quantum Non-Demolition Measurement

Module 3: Quantum Sensing

  • Quantum Fisher Information
  • Coherent States and Squeezed States
  • Quantum Interferometry
  • Nitrogen Vacancy Centers in Diamond
  • Quantum Phase Transition Based Sensing Detection

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

This course is part of Quantum Technology: Detectors and Networking MicroMasters Program

Learn more 
Expert instruction
5 graduate-level courses
Instructor-led
Assignments and exams have specific due dates
10 months
6 - 9 hours per week

Interested in this course for your business or team?

Train your employees in the most in-demand topics, with edX For Business.