1. |
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY |
1.1. |
The quantum sensor market ‘at a glance’ |
1.2. |
Quantum sensors: Analyst viewpoint |
1.3. |
What are quantum sensors? |
1.4. |
Overview of quantum sensing technologies and applications |
1.5. |
The value proposition of quantum sensors varies by hardware approach, application and competition |
1.6. |
Comparing the scale of long-term markets (in volume) for key quantum sensing technologies |
1.7. |
Key industries for quantum sensors |
1.8. |
Why is navigation the most likely mass-market application for quantum sensors? |
1.9. |
Case studies: Quantum navigation for land, sea, and air |
1.10. |
Investment in quantum sensing is growing |
1.11. |
Quantum sensor industry market map |
1.12. |
The quantum sensors market will transition from ’emerging’ to ‘growing’ |
1.13. |
Scaling up manufacture of miniaturized physics packages is a key challenge for chip-scale quantum sensors |
1.14. |
Specialized components for atomic and diamond-based quantum sensing |
1.15. |
Total quantum sensor market – annual revenue 2026-2046 |
1.16. |
Quantum sensor market – Key forecasting results (1) |
1.17. |
Quantum sensor market – Key forecasting results (2) |
1.18. |
Identifying medium term opportunities in the quantum sensor market: Market size vs CAGR (2026-2036) |
1.19. |
Identifying long term opportunities in the quantum sensor market: Market size vs CAGR (2036-2046) |
1.20. |
Quantum sensor market – Granular annual revenue (excluding TMR) 2026-2046 |
1.21. |
Atomic clocks: Sector roadmap |
1.22. |
Quantum magnetometers: Sector roadmap |
1.23. |
Quantum gravimeters: Sector roadmap |
1.24. |
Inertial quantum sensors: Sector roadmap |
1.25. |
Quantum RF sensors: Sector roadmap |
1.26. |
Single photon detectors: Sector roadmap |
1.27. |
Access More With an IDTechEx Subscription |
2. |
INTRODUCTION TO QUANTUM SENSORS |
2.1. |
Market Overview |
2.1.1. |
What are quantum sensors? |
2.1.2. |
Classical vs Quantum |
2.1.3. |
Quantum phenomena enable highly-sensitive quantum sensing |
2.1.4. |
Key technology platforms for quantum sensing |
2.1.5. |
Overview of quantum sensing technologies and applications |
2.1.6. |
The value proposition of quantum sensors varies by hardware approach, application and competition |
2.1.7. |
The quantum sensors market will transition from ’emerging’ to ‘growing’ |
2.1.8. |
Investment in quantum sensing is growing |
2.1.9. |
Scaling up manufacture of miniaturized physics packages is a key challenge for chip-scale quantum sensors |
2.1.10. |
The use of ‘quantum sensor’ in marketing |
2.2. |
Key Industries & Applications |
2.2.1. |
Key industries for quantum sensors |
2.2.2. |
Highlighting the key applications for quantum sensors |
2.2.3. |
Why is navigation the most likely mass-market application for quantum sensors? |
2.2.4. |
Case studies: Quantum navigation for land, sea, and air |
2.2.5. |
Recommendations for the development of commercial quantum sensors |
3. |
ATOMIC CLOCKS |
3.1. |
Atomic Clocks: Chapter Overview Atomic Clocks: Technology Overview |
3.2. |
Introduction: High frequency oscillators for high accuracy clocks |
3.3. |
Challenges with quartz clocks |
3.4. |
Hyperfine energy levels and the cesium time standard |
3.5. |
Atomic clocks self-calibrate for clock drift |
3.6. |
Identifying disruptive atomic-clock technologies (1) |
3.7. |
Identifying disruptive atomic-clock technologies (2) |
3.8. |
Optical atomic clocks |
3.9. |
Frequency combs for optical clocks and optical quantum systems |
3.10. |
New modalities enhance fractional uncertainty of atomic clocks |
3.11. |
Chip Scale Atomic Clocks for portable precision time-keeping |
3.12. |
Assured positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) is a key application for chip-scale atomic clocks |
3.13. |
Rack-sized clocks offer high performance in a more compact and portable form-factor |
3.14. |
A challenge remains to miniaturize atomic clocks without compromising on accuracy, stability and cost |
3.15. |
Atomic Clocks: Key Players |
3.16. |
Comparing key players in atomic clock hardware development |
3.17. |
Key players: Lab-based microwave atomic clocks |
3.18. |
Chip-scale atomic clock player case study: Microsemi and Teledyne |
3.19. |
Atomic Clocks: Sector Summary |
3.20. |
Atomic clocks: End users and addressable markets |
3.21. |
Atomic clocks: Sector roadmap |
3.22. |
Atomic Clocks: SWOT analysis |
3.23. |
Atomic clocks: Conclusions and outlook |
4. |
MAGNETIC FIELD SENSORS |
4.1.1. |
Quantum magnetic field sensors: chapter overview |
4.1.2. |
Introduction: Measuring magnetic fields |
4.1.3. |
Sensitivity is key to the value proposition for quantum magnetic field sensors |
4.1.4. |
High-sensitivity applications in healthcare and quantum computing are key market opportunities for quantum magnetic field sensors |
4.1.5. |
Classifying magnetic field sensor hardware |
4.2. |
Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices (SQUIDs) – Technology, Applications and Key Players |
4.2.1. |
Applications of SQUIDs |
4.2.2. |
Operating principle of SQUIDs |
4.2.3. |
SQUID fabrication services are offered by specialist foundries |
4.2.4. |
Commercial applications and market opportunities for SQUIDs |
4.2.5. |
Comparing key players with SQUID intellectual property (IP) |
4.2.6. |
SQUIDs: SWOT analysis |
4.3. |
Optically Pumped Magnetometers (OPMs) – Technology, Applications, and Key Players |
4.3.1. |
Operating principles of Optically Pumped Magnetometers (OPMs) |
4.3.2. |
Applications of optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) |
4.3.3. |
Miniaturizing OPMs for emerging applications |
4.3.4. |
OPMs as a navigation alternative to INS |
4.3.5. |
MEMS manufacturing techniques and non-magnetic sensor packages key for miniaturized optically pumped magnetometers |
4.3.6. |
Comparing key players with OPM intellectual property (IP) |
4.3.7. |
Comparing the technology approaches of key players developing miniaturized OPMs for healthcare |
4.3.8. |
OPMs: SWOT analysis |
4.4. |
Tunneling Magneto Resistance Sensors (TMRs) – Technology, Applications, and Key Players |
4.4.1. |
Introduction to tunneling magnetoresistance sensors (TMR) |
4.4.2. |
Operating principle and advantages of tunneling magnetoresistance sensors (TMR) |
4.4.3. |
Comparing key players with TMR intellectual property (IP) |
4.4.4. |
Commercial applications and market opportunities for TMRs |
4.4.5. |
TMRs: SWOT analysis |
4.5. |
Nitrogen Vacancy in Diamond (NV Centers) – Technology, Applications, and Key Players |
4.5.1. |
Introduction to NV center magnetic field sensors |
4.5.2. |
Operating Principles of NV center magnetic field sensors |
4.5.3. |
A range of potential applications of NV center magnetic field sensors |
4.5.4. |
Advantages of NV diamonds and their applications |
4.5.5. |
NV diamond microscopes for electromagnetic field mapping |
4.5.6. |
Overview of the synthetic diamond value chain in quantum sensing |
4.5.7. |
Quantum grade diamond benchmarked |
4.5.8. |
N-V Center Magnetic Field Sensors: SWOT analysis |
4.6. |
Quantum Magnetic Field Sensors: Sector Summary |
4.6.1. |
Comparing market opportunities for quantum magnetic field sensors |
4.6.2. |
Comparing market opportunities for quantum magnetic field sensors |
4.6.3. |
Assessing the performance of magnetic field sensors |
4.6.4. |
Comparing minimum detectable field and SWaP characteristics |
4.6.5. |
Quantum magnetometers: Sector roadmap |
4.6.6. |
Conclusions and outlook |
5. |
GRAVIMETERS |
5.1.1. |
Quantum gravimeters: Chapter overview |
5.2. |
Quantum Gravimeters: Technologies, Applications and Key Players |
5.2.1. |
The main application for gravity sensors is for mapping utilities and buried assets |
5.2.2. |
Operating principles of atomic interferometry-based quantum gravimeters |
5.2.3. |
Comparing quantum gravity sensing with incumbent technologies for underground mapping |
5.2.4. |
Comparing key players in quantum gravimeters |
5.2.5. |
Quantum gravimeter development depends on collaboration between laser manufacturers, sensor OEMs and end-users |
5.3. |
Quantum gravimeters: Sector Summary |
5.3.1. |
Quantum Gravimeters: SWOT analysis |
5.3.2. |
Quantum gravimeters: Sector roadmap |
5.3.3. |
Conclusions and outlook |
6. |
INERTIAL QUANTUM SENSORS (GYROSCOPES & ACCELEROMETERS) |
6.1. |
Inertial Quantum Sensors: Introduction and Applications |
6.1.1. |
Quantum inertial sensors: Chapter overview |
6.1.2. |
Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs): An introduction |
6.1.3. |
Navigation by Dead Reckoning |
6.1.4. |
Drift Accumulation |
6.1.5. |
IMU key applications |
6.1.6. |
Key application for inertial quantum sensors in small-satellite constellation navigation systems |
6.1.7. |
Navigation in GNSS denied environments could be a future application for chip-scale inertial quantum sensors |
6.1.8. |
Next-generation MEMS accelerometers and gyroscopes compete with quantum sensors |
6.2. |
Quantum Gyroscopes: Technologies, Developments and Key Players |
6.2.1. |
Operating principles of atomic quantum gyroscopes |
6.2.2. |
MEMS manufacturing processes can miniaturize atomic gyroscope technology for higher volume applications |
6.2.3. |
Gyroscope technology landscape |
6.2.4. |
Comparing quantum gyroscopes with MEMS gyroscopes and optical gyroscopes |
6.2.5. |
Comparing key players with atomic gyroscope intellectual property (IP) |
6.2.6. |
Quantum gyroscope development depends on collaboration between laser manufacturers, sensor OEMs and end-users |
6.2.7. |
Comparing key players in quantum gyroscopes |
6.2.8. |
Quantum Gyroscopes: SWOT analysis |
6.3. |
Quantum Accelerometers: Technologies, Developments and Key Players |
6.3.1. |
Operating principles of quantum accelerometers |
6.3.2. |
Grating MOTs enable the miniaturization of cold atom quantum sensors |
6.3.3. |
Accelerometer application landscape |
6.3.4. |
Comparing key players in quantum accelerometers |
6.3.5. |
Quantum Accelerometers: SWOT Analysis |
6.3.6. |
Inertial Quantum Sensors: Sector Summary |
6.4. |
Inertial Quantum Sensors: Sector roadmap |
6.4.1. |
Conclusions and outlook |
7. |
RADIO FREQUENCY (RF) SENSORS |
7.1.1. |
Quantum RF sensors overcome fundamental challenges of their classical counterparts |
7.1.2. |
Value proposition of quantum RF sensors |
7.1.3. |
Commercial use cases for quantum RF sensors |
7.1.4. |
Quantum RF sensors: Size and cost development trends |
7.1.5. |
Overview of types of quantum RF sensors |
7.2. |
Rydberg Atom Electric Field Sensors and RF Receivers |
7.2.1. |
Principles of Rydberg atoms: Enabling electric field sensing |
7.2.2. |
Principles of Rydberg RF sensing: EIT spectroscopy |
7.2.3. |
Rydberg RF receivers offer additional benefits including SI-traceability |
7.2.4. |
Rydberg RF to enable next-gen 5G communications |
7.2.5. |
Commercial Rydberg Radio: Infleqtion, Rydberg Technologies and TZH Quantum Tech |
7.2.6. |
Metrology and over-the-air testing offers a near term commercial use for Rydberg RF |
7.2.7. |
Top patent holders on Rydberg RF sensors/receivers |
7.2.8. |
Research institutes & China leading patents |
7.2.9. |
SWOT analysis: Rydberg atom RF sensors |
7.3. |
Nitrogen-Vacancy Centre Electric Field Sensors and RF Receivers |
7.3.1. |
Principles of NV center RF receivers |
7.3.2. |
NV diamonds as radio frequency analysers |
7.3.3. |
Advantages translate into potential applications |
7.3.4. |
EU-backed AMADEUS project leading commercial NV sensor development |
7.3.5. |
Current challenges for NV center electric field and RF sensors – overshadowed by magnetic field sensing? |
7.3.6. |
Quantum grade diamond benchmarked |
7.3.7. |
SWOT analysis: NV diamond electric field sensors and RF receivers |
7.4. |
Quantum RF Sensors: Sector Summary |
7.4.1. |
Summary of the current market landscape for quantum RF sensors |
7.4.2. |
Quantum RF sensors: Sector roadmap |
7.4.3. |
Conclusions and Outlook: Quantum Radio Frequency Field Sensors |
8. |
SINGLE PHOTON DETECTORS AND QUANTUM IMAGING |
8.1.1. |
Section overview: Single photon detectors and quantum imaging |
8.1.2. |
Section overview: Contents |
8.1.3. |
Single photon imaging and quantum imaging – 3 key trends |
8.2. |
Single Photon Detectors |
8.2.1. |
Introduction to single photon detectors |
8.2.2. |
Classification of single photon detectors in this report |
8.3. |
Semiconductor Single Photon Detectors |
8.4. |
Background and Context |
8.4.1. |
Introduction to semiconductor photon detectors |
8.4.2. |
Operating principles of SPADs: Avalanche photodiode (APD) basics |
8.4.3. |
Operating principles of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs) |
8.4.4. |
Arrays of SPADs in series can form silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) as a solid-state alternative to traditional PMTs |
8.4.5. |
Comparison of SPAD/SiPM to established photodiodes |
8.5. |
Next generation SPADs |
8.5.1. |
Innovation in the next generation of SPADs |
8.5.2. |
Key players and innovators in the next generation of SPADs |
8.5.3. |
Applications of SPADs formed in a trade-off of resolution and timing performance |
8.5.4. |
Development trends for groups of key SPAD players |
8.5.5. |
Advanced semiconductor packaging techniques enabling higher pixel counts and timing functionality for SPAD arrays |
8.5.6. |
Case Study: Camera giants Canon and Sony developing high-res SPAD arrays for low-light imaging & LiDAR |
8.5.7. |
Alternative semiconductor SPADs unlock infrared wavelengths beyond the range of silicon (1) |
8.5.8. |
Alternative semiconductor SPADs unlock infrared wavelengths beyond the range of silicon (2) |
8.5.9. |
Use of SPADs with TCSPC enables picosecond precision bioimaging and single photon LiDAR |
8.5.10. |
High-performance timing resolution with SWIR SPAD arrays enables greenhouse gas LiDAR |
8.5.11. |
TCSPC SPAD LiDAR in underwater imaging |
8.5.12. |
Bioimaging applications of SPADs |
8.5.13. |
Competition or cooperation for SPADs and SNSPDs in quantum communications and computing? |
8.5.14. |
Emerging SPADs: SWOT analysis |
8.6. |
Superconducting single photon detectors |
8.7. |
Superconducting nanowire single photon detector (SNSPD) |
8.7.1. |
Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) |
8.7.2. |
SNSPD applications must value performance highly enough to justify the bulk/cost of cryogenics |
8.7.3. |
Research in scaling SNSPD arrays beyond kilopixel |
8.7.4. |
Advancements in superconducting materials drives SNSPD development |
8.7.5. |
Comparison of commercial SNSPD players |
8.7.6. |
SWOT analysis: Superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPDs) |
8.8. |
Kinetic inductance detector (KID) and transition edge sensor (TES) |
8.8.1. |
Kinetic Inductance Detectors (KIDs) |
8.8.2. |
Transition edge sensors (TES) |
8.8.3. |
How have SNSPDs gained traction while KIDs and TESs remain in research? |
8.9. |
Single photon detectors: Summary |
8.9.1. |
Comparison of single photon detector technology |
8.9.2. |
Single photon detector roadmap |
8.9.3. |
3 key takeaways for single photon detectors |
8.10. |
Quantum Imaging |
8.10.1. |
Introduction to quantum imaging |
8.10.2. |
Quantum entanglement: Enabling quantum radar and ghost imaging |
8.10.3. |
Introduction to ghost imaging |
8.10.4. |
EU FastGhost project leads commercial development of ghost imaging |
8.10.5. |
Nonlinear interferometry (quantum holography) |
8.10.6. |
QUANCER project developing quantum holography for cancer detection |
8.10.7. |
Digistain developing mid-IR nonlinear interferometry for cancer detection |
8.10.8. |
Quantum imaging for glucose monitoring is in the early stages of commercialization |
8.10.9. |
Quantum radar |
8.10.10. |
General advantages of quantum imaging |
8.10.11. |
Quantum particle sensors could probe more information using superposition states of light |
8.10.12. |
SWOT analysis: Quantum imaging |
8.10.13. |
3 key takeaways for quantum imaging |
9. |
COMPONENTS FOR QUANTUM SENSING |
9.1. |
Section overview: Components for quantum sensing |
9.2. |
Specialized components for atomic and diamond-based quantum sensing |
9.3. |
Key players in components for quantum sensing technologies |
9.4. |
Vapor cells: Background and context |
9.5. |
Innovation in commercial manufacture of vapor cells in quantum sensing |
9.6. |
Alkali azides used to overcome high-vacuum fabrication requirements of vapor cells for quantum sensing |
9.7. |
Comparing key players in chip-scale vapor cell development |
9.8. |
SWOT analysis: Miniaturized vapor cells |
9.9. |
VCSELs: Background and context |
9.10. |
VCSELs enable miniaturization of quantum sensors and components |
9.11. |
Comparing key players in VCSELs for quantum sensing |
9.12. |
SWOT analysis: VCSELs |
9.13. |
Specialized control electronics and optics packages needed to enable the high performance of quantum sensors |
9.14. |
Integrated photonic and semiconductor products for quantum are developing but not yet unlocking the mass market |
9.15. |
Hardware challenges for quantum to integrate into established photonics |
9.16. |
Roadmap for components in quantum sensing |
9.17. |
Roadmap for quantum sensing components and their applications |
10. |
MARKET FORECASTS |
10.1.1. |
Forecasting chapter overview |
10.1.2. |
Forecasting methodology overview |
10.1.3. |
Comparing the scale of long-term markets (in volume) for key quantum sensing technologies |
10.1.4. |
Total quantum sensor market – annual revenue 2026-2046 |
10.1.5. |
Quantum sensor market – Key forecasting results (1) |
10.1.6. |
Quantum sensor market – Key forecasting results (2) |
10.1.7. |
Identifying medium term opportunities in the quantum sensor market: Market size vs CAGR (2026-2036) |
10.1.8. |
Identifying long term opportunities in the quantum sensor market: Market size vs CAGR (2036-2046) |
10.1.9. |
Total quantum sensor market – Granular annual revenue 2026-2046 |
10.1.10. |
Quantum sensor market – Granular annual revenue (excluding TMR) 2026-2046 |
10.2. |
Atomic Clocks |
10.2.1. |
Overview of atomic clock market trends: Annual revenue forecast 2026-2046 |
10.2.2. |
Bench/rack-scale atomic clocks, annual sales volume forecast 2026-2046 |
10.2.3. |
Chip-scale atomic clocks, annual sales volume forecast 2026-2036 |
10.2.4. |
Chip-scale atomic clocks, annual sales volume forecast 2026-2046 |
10.2.5. |
Summary of market forecasts for atomic clock technology |
10.3. |
Quantum Magnetic Field Sensors |
10.3.1. |
Overview of quantum magnetic field sensor market trends |
10.3.2. |
Global car sales trends to impact the quantum sensor market long-term |
10.3.3. |
TMR sensors, annual sales volume forecast 2026-2046 |
10.3.4. |
TMR sensors, annual revenue forecast 2026-2046 |
10.3.5. |
SQUIDs, OPMs, and NVMs – Annual sales volume forecast 2026-2046 |
10.3.6. |
SQUIDs, OPMs, and NVMs – Annual sales volume forecast 2026-2046 |
10.3.7. |
Summary of market forecasts for quantum magnetic field sensor technology |
10.3.8. |
Inertial Quantum Sensors (Gyroscopes and Accelerometers) |
10.3.9. |
Annual revenue for quantum gyroscopes and accelerometers 2026-2046 |
10.4. |
Inertial quantum sensors, annual sales volume forecast 2026-2046 |
10.4.1. |
Key conclusions for quantum gyroscope & accelerometer forecasts |
10.5. |
Quantum Gravimeters |
10.5.1. |
Annual revenue for quantum gravimeters 2026-2046 |
10.5.2. |
Quantum gravimeters, annual sales volume forecast 2026-2046 |
10.5.3. |
Summary of key conclusions for quantum gravimeter technology forecasts |
10.6. |
Quantum RF Sensors |
10.6.1. |
Annual revenue for quantum RF sensors 2026-2046 |
10.6.2. |
Annual sales volume forecast for quantum RF sensors 2026-2046 |
10.7. |
Single Photon Detectors |
10.7.1. |
Annual revenue for single photon detectors 2026-2046 |
10.7.2. |
Annual sales volume forecast for single photon detectors 2026-2046 |
10.7.3. |
Analysis of single photon detector forecasts: photonic quantum computing |
11. |
COMPANY PROFILES |
11.1. |
Aegiq |
11.2. |
Artilux Inc |
11.3. |
Beyond Blood Diagnostics |
11.4. |
BT (Quantum Radio Research) |
11.5. |
CEA Leti (Quantum Technologies) |
11.6. |
Cerca Magnetics |
11.7. |
Covesion Ltd |
11.8. |
CPI EDB (Quantum Sensing) |
11.9. |
Crocus Technology |
11.10. |
Diatope |
11.11. |
Digistain (Quantum Sensing) |
11.12. |
Element Six (Quantum Technologies) |
11.13. |
Fraunhofer CAP |
11.14. |
ID Quantique (Single Photon Detectors) |
11.15. |
Infleqtion (Cold Quanta) |
11.16. |
Menlo Systems Inc |
11.17. |
Neuranics |
11.18. |
NIQS Technology Ltd |
11.19. |
Ordnance Survey |
11.20. |
Photon Force |
11.21. |
Polariton Technologies |
11.22. |
Powerlase Ltd |
11.23. |
PsiQuantum |
11.24. |
Q-CTRL (quantum navigation) |
11.25. |
Q.ANT |
11.26. |
Qingyuan Tianzhiheng Sensing Technology Co., Ltd |
11.27. |
QLM Technology: Methane-Sensing LiDAR |
11.28. |
Quantum Computing Inc |
11.29. |
Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C) |
11.30. |
Quantum Technologies |
11.31. |
Quantum Valley Ideas Lab |
11.32. |
QuiX Quantum |
11.33. |
QZabre |
11.34. |
RobQuant |
11.35. |
Rydberg Technologies |
11.36. |
SandboxAQ (Quantum Sensing) |
11.37. |
SEEQC |
11.38. |
SemiWise |
11.39. |
Senko Advance Components Ltd |
11.40. |
Single Quantum |
11.41. |
sureCore Ltd |
11.42. |
TU Darmstadt (Quantum Imaging) |
11.43. |
VTT Manufacturing (Quantum Technologies) |
11.44. |
XeedQ |