Sick and the wholly owned Trumpf subsidiary Q.ANT have signed a cooperation agreement for the development of industrial quantum sensors. The aim is to jointly develop quantum optical sensors. Initial functional tests of the world's first quantum optical sensor that can be used for series production have already been successful, and the first sensors should be available for industrial use from 2021. Quantum sensors enable measurements to be made with a level of accuracy that has not been technically possible to date.

The sensor specialist is responsible for application development and sales of the product, while Q.ANT, as a specialist in quantum technology, contributes the production of the measurement technology and thus the technological core of the sensor. "Quantum technology is a huge opportunity for German and European industry. This partnership between two high-tech companies is now transforming it into a production-ready product for the first time. The quantum sensor enables high-precision measurements and insights that lead to completely new applications in industry," says Peter Leibinger, CTO at Trumpf. The first use of the new quantum sensors is planned for 2021.

The quantum sensor business is lucrative: experts from the German Academy of Science and Engineering Acatech estimate that the total market for these sensors will be worth around 1.1 billion euros by 2023. "By entering the field of quantum sensors, Sick is expanding its global technology leadership in the sensor industry. Quantum sensors are a key technology for the future of industry," says Robert Bauer, CEO of Sick.

Successful function tests

Until now, quantum sensors have mainly been used in research. Q.ANT and Sick have now successfully completed functional tests of an application for industry for the first time. "Quantum technology enables ultra-fast measurement of the movement and size distribution of particles, for example. With the industrialization of these sensors, not only we but also Germany as a high-tech location are taking a major step towards the commercialization of quantum technology," says Michael Förtsch, CEO of Q.ANT. The quantum sensors use laser light to enable highly efficient measurements that are not possible with conventional methods.

"Quantum technology is the next step for sensor technology, because it pushes technical boundaries that were previously firmly anchored. Where previously no good signals could be measured, quantum effects can even make details perceptible in the signal noise. This makes it possible to measure particles that are around two hundred times smaller than a human hair," explains Niels Syassen, Senior Vice President R&D at Sick, where he is responsible for the project. The quantum sensors will initially be used to analyze airborne substances.

Quantum sensors could become part of everyday life in various industries in the future: For example, in civil engineering, underground structures could be mapped before construction begins; in the pharmaceutical industry, it could be easier to determine the best composition of tablet powder; in electronics, circuits could be inspected through surfaces and high-precision measurements could be taken in industry.