Nonequilibrium Quantum Sensors

Quantum sensing, a cornerstone of quantum technologies, offers unparalleled precision and sensitivity beyond classical limits. These sensors hold transformative potential across numerous applications, including energy, mining, biological imaging, space exploration, and environmental monitoring. Achieving quantum-enhanced sensitivity often relies on exploiting unique quantum features like entanglement and superposition, particularly in multi-particle systems.

Traditional approaches have focused on non-interacting particles in maximally entangled states, but challenges such as decoherence and scalability have shifted attention to strongly correlated many-body systems. These systems, with inherent multipartite entanglement, exhibit robustness against imperfections and promise scalable quantum sensing platforms.

This research focuses on non-equilibrium quantum systems, which operate far from thermal equilibrium, offering new regimes of quantum behavior not accessible in equilibrium conditions. A key focus is on Discrete Time Crystals (DTCs), a novel non-equilibrium phase of matter characterized by unique temporal order, robustness to imperfections, and persistent oscillations. These properties make DTCs promising candidates for advanced quantum sensing.

The study aims to explore critical phenomena and phases in non-equilibrium systems, leveraging mechanisms like disorder, domain-wall confinement, and long-range interactions to develop practical DTC-based quantum sensors. To achieve this, we utilize advanced computational methodologies, including exact diagonalization, tensor networks, and the density matrix renormalization group. The Kibble-Zurek mechanism will guide the theoretical framework, enhancing sensor resolution and noise resistance.

This research aims to pioneer new directions in quantum sensing by harnessing non-equilibrium dynamics, contributing to both fundamental understanding and practical advancements in quantum technologies.