The new quantum sensor can detect gravitational waves and dark matter.

A new study published in the British journal Nature shows that a new type of quantum sensor can effectively eliminate the influence of background noise on measurement accuracy. This sensor can be used to search for faint signals that were previously difficult to detect, helping to unravel the mystery of the formation of supermassive black holes. The Imperial College London, which led the study, stated in a press release that understanding the composition of the universe and discovering new sources of gravitational waves requires measuring extremely weak signals. Atomic interferometers use the interference of atomic matter waves for measurement, but the laser pulses needed for measurement themselves have noise, which may overwhelm the signal and prevent meaningful data from being obtained. Researchers found that placing two identical atomic interferometers in different locations and using the same laser beam for measurement, comparing their measurements, can cancel out the influence of laser noise on each other. Researchers created a prototype device in the laboratory, consisting of two macroscopic atomic interferometers in different positions. The experiment found that besides the noise caused by the quantum randomness of the atoms themselves, the device was not affected by other noise. Even when researchers added strong noise to the laser, the device still operated effectively and removed the noise. Researchers then applied oscillating signals similar to those that may be produced by early universe gravitational waves and superlight dark matter to the device. The test results showed that the two atomic interferometers working together could still capture clear signals.