Moler's lab builds scanning SQUID microscopes -- magnetic-flux sensors cooled to cryogenic temperatures and scanned within microns of a sample -- to image supercurrents, vortices, and interfacial magnetism in unconventional superconductors and topological materials with sensitivity and spatial resolution that complements ensemble NV-diamond magnetometry (which reaches pT/√Hz via DEER/T1-type protocols) at a very different length and field scale.
Nguyen's group at UCL (based at Royal Institution) focuses on magnetic and fluorescent nanoparticles for biomedical sensing and therapy. Research directions: (1) Magnetic nanoparticle synthesis — iron oxide (SPION) and other magnetic nanoparticles with controlled size, shape, and surface chemistry for MRI contrast and magnetic hyperthermia; (2) Biosensing platforms — functionalized nanoparticles as MRI-detectable sensors for specific biomolecular targets; magnetic particle imaging (MPI) for real-time tracking; (3) Plasmonic nanoparticles — gold nanoparticles for optical biosensing and photothermal therapy; (4) Fluorescent nanoparticles — QD- and dye-conjugated probes for live-cell imaging. Relevant to quantum sensing through magnetic nanoparticle platforms.
Eugene Polzik's QUANTOP centre uses hot and ultracold atomic spin ensembles and mechanical membranes to generate squeezed, entangled, and single-photon states for quantum sensing and communication. Key directions include: (1) atomic magnetometry and electromagnetic induction imaging for biomedical applications (MEG/MCG-quality sensors); (2) entanglement between a macroscopic mechanical oscillator and an atomic spin ensemble; (3) quantum memory for light; (4) back-action-evading measurement schemes beyond the SQL; and (5) optical preamplification for MRI. QUANTOP heads the Copenhagen Center for Biomedical Quantum Sensing (CBQS), targeting quantum-enhanced disease diagnostics.
Renzoni's group is internationally recognized as a pioneer in electromagnetic induction imaging (EMI) with optical atomic magnetometers. Research directions: (1) All-optical 87Rb atomic magnetometer MIT — demonstrated first magnetic induction tomography (MIT) with atomic magnetometers (2013), first EMI of biological tissues below the 1 Sm⁻¹ threshold (Applied Physics Letters 2020), enabling non-invasive cardiac conductivity imaging; (2) Unshielded RF atomic magnetometer operation with general regression neural network auto-optimization; (3) Non-destructive evaluation — industrial corrosion/defect imaging via quantum-sensitive MIT; (4) Sub-Fourier signal processing with nonlinear systems for frequency resolution beyond classical limits. Collaborates with NPL on quantum sensing standards. Applications span medicine (atrial fibrillation), security, and materials inspection.
Jean-François Roch (Professor at ENS Paris-Saclay, LuMIn) is a world leader in NV-center diamond quantum sensors. Research: (1) NV center magnetometry — scalar and vector magnetic field sensing with ensembles and single NV spins; (2) NV centers in diamond anvil cells for high-pressure magnetometry (world record 240 GPa); (3) joint laboratory (JRL) with Thales R&T on industrial NV quantum sensors; (4) color centres in hBN. IUF Senior Member 2021; Jaffé Prize + Berthelot Medal 2024.
Romalis develops ultra-sensitive alkali-vapor magnetometers operating in the spin-exchange-relaxation-free (SERF) regime, K-noble-gas nuclear spin co-magnetometers used as gyroscopes and for electron/nuclear EDM and Lorentz-violation searches, and Rydberg-atom microwave electric-field sensors; his group's SERF magnetometers were the first used to detect brain magnetic fields. This continues and extends the historical arc of atomic and NV-ensemble quantum sensing (comparable in spirit to DEER/NMR/T1-relaxometry approaches reaching pT/sqrt(Hz) sensitivities), pushing scalar and vector magnetometry toward the fT/sqrt(Hz) and below regime through spin-squeezing and multi-pass optical cells.
Toeno van der Sar's group uses NV-centre diamond magnetometry to study correlated spin dynamics and electric currents in magnetic and 2D materials. Research directions: (1) scanning NV magnetometry of topological magnets, 2D magnetic materials (CrI3, Fe3GeTe2), and superconductors; (2) spin-wave (magnon) spectroscopy in magnetic thin films using NV sensors; (3) widefield NV imaging of biological samples and materials. The group develops both NV scanning probes and widefield NV ensembles for nanoscale spatial mapping of magnetic phenomena.
Atomic physicist known for spin-exchange optical pumping (SEOP) and its use in ultra-sensitive atomic (SERF-regime) magnetometers, as well as Rydberg-atom quantum information experiments.
Carrie Weidner's GECKO group develops experimental quantum sensing and simulation with cold atoms and hot atomic vapours. Key directions: (1) robust atom interferometry for 6-axis inertial sensing using optical lattice potentials (EPSRC-funded, Infleqtion partnership); (2) magnetic field imaging with squeezed light in hot atom vapour cells (wide-field OPM-type sensing using Faraday rotation); (3) quantum optimal control theory for atom interferometric sensors. The group is establishing a full ultracold atom apparatus for quantum simulation and sensing. Active postdoc positions.