The LKB atom interferometry group (also at SYRTE, Observatoire de Paris) develops cold atom inertial sensors including the world's best gyroscopes and gravimeters. Key research (Geiger, Landragin et al.): (1) interleaved cold atom gyroscope with 3.75 Hz sampling and 800ms interrogation (record sensitivity); (2) cold atom gradiometer for gravity gradient mapping; (3) atom chip-based compact sources for inertial navigation; (4) quantum optimal control for robust matter-wave sensing. QAFCA project (PEPR Quantique) on quantum sensors for geoscience and navigation. Note: The main PI is Remi Geiger (CNRS) / Arnaud Landragin, both at SYRTE/Observatoire de Paris (PSL), but LKB atom interferometry team is at ENS site.
Cheuk laser-cools and traps individual laser-coolable molecules (e.g. CaF) in optical tweezer arrays, achieving high-fidelity non-destructive imaging, Raman sideband cooling, and on-demand entanglement of molecular qubits, with explicit applications to quantum simulation, quantum information processing, and quantum-enhanced sensing/precision measurement. The rich internal structure of molecules gives access to new sensing modalities (e.g. searches for new physics) that complement atom-based quantum sensors.
Doyle's group laser-cools and traps polyatomic and diatomic molecules (including CaF and YbOH) using cryogenic buffer-gas sources, applying them to precision tests of fundamental physics such as the electron electric dipole moment (ACME-style eEDM measurement) and to molecule-based quantum information. This precision-measurement approach to fundamental-symmetry tests is a borderline but included case under the quantum-sensing umbrella, given its shared cold-molecule-platform lineage with atomic/vapor sensing and inertial-sensing work.
Rémi Geiger (CNRS DR, SYRTE/Observatoire de Paris; IUF 2020) leads atom interferometry for inertial sensing. Research: (1) interleaved cold-atom gyroscope — world record 3.75 Hz sampling rate with 801ms interrogation time; (2) EQUIP-G Horizon Europe project for quantum gravimeter network deployment across Europe (2025); (3) ESA ODIN gyroscope for X-ray space mission; (4) entangled-atom tests of Einstein equivalence principle. Key figure in precision cold-atom inertial sensors. Note: formally at SYRTE (PSL/Obs. Paris), entered under ENS (same PSL network).
Pfau's institute spans dipolar quantum gases (first Dy BEC, supersolids), interacting Rydberg atoms for simulation/computing, Rydberg electrometry with thermal atomic vapours and integrated atomic photonics, and laser cooling of molecules. Rydberg vapour electrometry is a leading electric-field quantum sensor. In the broader landscape of NV-centre ensemble quantum sensing (DEER, nano-NMR, T1 relaxometry) operating near pT/sqrt(Hz) sensitivity, this work complements spin sensing with atom-based electric-field metrology.
Tarbutt co-leads the Imperial eEDM experiment using YbF molecules and runs an independent molecular array quantum computing/sensing programme. Two parallel eEDM experiments: (1) Ultracold YbF beam — 2D transverse laser cooling producing 200 μK, 2×10^5 molecules/shot, eEDM sensitivity of 1.8×10^−28 e·cm/day (near shot-noise limit); (2) YbF 3D optical lattice — aiming for 10^−30 e·cm/year, requires laser cooling to μK and loading into 3D optical lattice, using novel all-optical spin polarisation and analysis. Also leads UKRI project on testing fundamental physics using arrays of ultracold molecules (CaF in optical tweezers for two-qubit molecular gates). These experiments probe CP-violation and BSM physics at PeV energy scales through precision molecular spectroscopy.
Truppe is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Cold Matter, specialising in laser cooling of atoms and diatomic molecules using deep-UV lasers. His current focus is aluminium monofluoride (AlF) and magnesium fluoride (MgF): AlF can be produced in a bright cryogenic buffer-gas beam and rapidly optically cycled on the A¹Π↔X¹Σ⁺ transition, making it a candidate for high-density laser trapping; MgF is characterised for its A²Π↔X²Σ⁺ hyperfine structure, relevant to laser cooling. These molecules open routes to ultracold chemistry studies, precision spectroscopy, and quantum simulation. Truppe returned to Imperial as faculty after a period at the Fritz Haber Institute (ERC Starting Grant, 'CoMoFun', cold molecules for fundamental physics).