Quantum Phase Transition Sensors Based on Critical Dynamics

Building on Dborin et al.'s simulation of quantum phase transitions and Rochdi et al.'s deep strong coupling simulations, this research direction proposes using engineered quantum criticality as a resource for metrology. While quantum phase transitions are typically studied as fundamental phenomena, their characteristic diverging correlation lengths and enhanced fluctuations could be harnessed for extreme sensitivity to external parameters. We could design superconducting circuits that can be tuned across quantum critical points in response to specific physical quantities (magnetic fields, forces, dark matter interactions), with the critical dynamics providing intrinsic amplification of tiny signals. This differs from conventional quantum sensing approaches that avoid criticality due to instability concerns. Instead, we'd embrace the critical dynamics as a feature, potentially achieving sensitivities beyond the standard quantum limit. The research would combine the sequential circuit techniques from Dborin et al. with the deep coupling methods of Rochdi et al. to create controllable, repeatable critical transitions for sensing applications.

References:

1. Simulating groundstate and dynamical quantum phase transitions on a superconducting quantum computer. J. Dborin, V. Wimalaweera, F. Barratt, E. Ostby, T. O’Brien, Andrew G. Green (2022). Nature Communications.
2. Simulating the Quantum Rabi Model in Superconducting Qubits at Deep Strong Coupling. Noureddine Rochdi, A. Rahman, R. Laamara, M. Bennai (2024).