Detectors capable of unprecedented sensitivity are rapidly developing, driven by demands from industries such as computing and secure communications, and researchers are now exploring how to harness these advances for fundamental questions in particle physics and cosmology. Masashi Hazumi from the Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the Universe and Particles (QUP) and the Institute of Particle and Nuclear Studies (IPNS) at KEK, along with Masashi Hazumi from National Central University, review the current state and future potential of these emerging technologies. The work surveys novel detector systems, including those based on superconductivity, atom interferometry, and spin, and details how they promise to unlock new insights into the universe’s most elusive particles and its earliest moments. This exploration highlights a growing synergy between applied technologies and fundamental science, potentially revolutionising our ability to probe the cosmos and the building blocks of matter.

CMB Polarization, Dark Matter, and the Hubble Tension

This research encompasses investigations into cosmology, particle physics, quantum sensing, and dark matter detection. Studies focus on measuring the polarization of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) to detect primordial gravitational waves, evidence of the universe’s rapid expansion shortly after the Big Bang, and to refine our understanding of cosmological parameters. Key projects include the Japanese-led LiteBIRD mission and the future ground-based CMB-S4 experiment, alongside tools like Baryon Acoustic Oscillations measured by the DESI experiment and large-scale mapping of the universe to address the Hubble tension. A major focus lies on detecting axions and axion-like particles, potential dark matter candidates, through CMB polarization measurements and with highly sensitive quantum sensors.

Beyond axions, the research explores various dark matter detection strategies and leverages quantum technology to improve the precision of particle physics measurements, with projects like AION and MAGIS-100 developing atom interferometers for precision measurements and potential gravitational wave detection. Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamonds are also under investigation as highly sensitive quantum sensors for detecting dark matter and magnetic fields. This work is fostered through collaborations like qUPosium2024 and QT4HEP2025, and initiatives such as DRD5/RDquantum, which focus on quantum sensor research and development for particle physics. It necessitates a departure from established methodologies and embraces emerging technologies, including superconducting circuits, atom interferometry, and spin-based sensors, leveraging quantum mechanics, specifically superposition and entanglement, to create measurement systems with unprecedented sensitivity and precision. This investigation focuses on building complete, functional systems, recognizing that successful implementation requires careful consideration of all components, from the quantum sensor itself to the readout electronics and mechanical support structures. Challenges often arise not from the sensor’s core functionality, but from integrating it into a robust and reliable system capable of operating in demanding environments. The research recognizes a growing “Quantum Ecosystem,” encompassing hardware developers, cloud service providers, research institutions, and software engineers, with global investments exceeding $40 billion and projections reaching $106 billion by 2040. Recent advancements in quantum error correction demonstrate the rapid progress within this ecosystem, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, bridging particle physics, astrophysics, and quantum information science, is emphasized.

Next-Generation Detectors Probe Universe’s Mysteries

Researchers are developing innovative new detectors employing technologies like superconductivity, atom interferometry, and advanced spin sensors, driven by demands from computing, secure communications, and high-sensitivity measurements. These advancements are now being directed towards fundamental questions in particle physics and cosmology, with several projects currently collecting data from locations including the South Pole, the Canary Islands, Argentina, China, and balloon-borne experiments, poised to deliver significant results within the next decade. Looking ahead, ambitious projects such as LiteBIRD and CMB-S4 are planned for the 2030s, aiming to detect primordial gravitational waves and test theories of cosmic inflation. Detecting these waves would provide insights into physics at incredibly high energy scales, potentially revealing connections to the fundamental forces and particles governing the universe, and even linking cosmic inflation to the Higgs boson. Beyond traditional telescope designs, researchers are exploring new detector technologies, including microwave kinetic inductance detectors (MKIDs) and transition edge sensors (TES), which offer unprecedented sensitivity and the ability to multiplex a large number of detectors. These technologies are being tested not only for cosmological observations but also in nuclear physics experiments, demonstrating their versatility, and a significant push is underway to connect quantum sensing with particle physics and cosmology through workshops and collaborative programs like DRD5 at CERN.

Quantum Sensors Probe Dark Matter Candidates

This review surveys emerging quantum technologies and their potential applications in particle physics and cosmology, highlighting recent advances in quantum sensors, including superconducting, atom interferometry, and spin-based devices, initially developed for industrial applications such as secure communication and quantum computing. These technologies offer the potential to measure physical quantities with unprecedented precision, opening new avenues for investigating fundamental physics. The research demonstrates that utilizing quantum objects, characterized by quantized energy levels and controllable states, holds significant promise for detecting subtle signals, such as those from ultra-light dark matter candidates like axion-like particles. The growing Quantum Information Science (QIS) community is rapidly developing these technologies, and the field is particularly well-suited to addressing challenging problems in fundamental physics. Current research focuses on enhancing sensitivity and mitigating noise in these quantum sensors, with future work likely involving scaling up these technologies and applying them to specific experimental searches for new physics. The authors conclude by encouraging further research and development in this exciting and rapidly evolving field, suggesting that proactive innovation is key to unlocking the full potential of quantum sensing for particle physics and cosmology.