Sustainability Atlas
Physics·12 min read··...

Data story: the metrics that actually predict success in Quantum technologies & sensing

The 5–8 KPIs that matter, benchmark ranges, and what the data suggests next. Focus on KPIs that matter, benchmark ranges, and what 'good' looks like in practice.

The quantum sensing market reached an estimated $377 million in 2024 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.8% through 2032, with some analysts forecasting even more aggressive growth exceeding 25% annually (Fortune Business Insights, 2024; Precedence Research, 2025). This trajectory represents a critical inflection point: quantum technologies are transitioning from laboratory curiosities to commercially deployable systems with measurable sustainability implications. In Q1 2025 alone, quantum technology venture funding surged 128% year-over-year to $1.25 billion, signaling unprecedented investor confidence in the sector's near-term viability (SpinQ, 2025). For sustainability practitioners, the question is no longer whether quantum sensing will matter—but which metrics actually predict success and how to benchmark progress against meaningful thresholds.

Why It Matters

Quantum sensing technologies exploit quantum mechanical phenomena—superposition, entanglement, and quantum coherence—to achieve measurement precision fundamentally unattainable by classical sensors. This capability has profound implications for sustainability across multiple domains. Quantum magnetometers enable GPS-denied navigation systems that reduce fuel consumption in aviation and maritime transport by eliminating inefficient routing during GPS outages. Quantum gravimeters detect underground water reserves, monitor aquifer depletion, and identify geological carbon storage sites with unprecedented accuracy. Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) diamond sensors operating at room temperature are revolutionizing medical diagnostics, reducing the energy-intensive cryogenic requirements of traditional magnetic resonance imaging systems.

The sustainability case extends beyond direct applications. Quantum sensors are enabling more precise monitoring of methane emissions from oil and gas infrastructure—QLM Technology's quantum gas sensors can detect natural gas leaks at parts-per-billion concentrations from drone-mounted platforms, supporting corporate and regulatory methane reduction commitments (Tracxn, 2024). In semiconductor manufacturing, QuantumDiamonds' quantum microscopy tools reduce material waste by identifying sub-nanometer defects that classical inspection systems miss, directly supporting circular economy objectives in electronics production.

However, the transition from laboratory demonstration to commercial deployment requires rigorous performance benchmarking. Without standardized metrics, procurement teams cannot evaluate competing quantum sensing solutions, investors cannot assess technology maturity, and policymakers cannot set meaningful performance thresholds for regulatory compliance. The metrics that follow represent the consensus of leading quantum technology consortia, including the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), NIST's Quantum Information Science program, and the European CEN/CENELEC standardization roadmap.

Key Concepts

Understanding quantum sensing metrics requires familiarity with several fundamental concepts that distinguish quantum from classical measurement systems.

Coherence Time (T1 and T2) represents the duration over which quantum information remains useful for sensing. T1 measures qubit lifetime—how long the system can distinguish between quantum states—while T2 measures phase coherence, determining how long phase information survives. For NV centers in diamond, state-of-the-art T2 values range from 212 to 522 microseconds, with interface engineering extending shallow NV coherence beyond 1 millisecond (Nature Communications, 2025). Longer coherence times directly translate to higher sensitivity and better frequency resolution in sensing applications.

Sensitivity quantifies the minimum detectable signal, typically expressed in units relevant to the measured quantity per square root of hertz (e.g., nT/√Hz for magnetic field sensors). This metric captures how the noise floor decreases with measurement time. Current NV-based magnetometers achieve sensitivities of 9-50 nT/√Hz, with the theoretical Heisenberg limit suggesting further improvements are possible through entanglement-enhanced protocols (Quantum Machines, 2024).

Fidelity measures the accuracy of quantum state preparation, manipulation, and readout. Gate fidelity exceeding 99.9% is now achievable in leading trapped-ion systems, while readout fidelity determines how reliably measurement outcomes reflect true quantum states. Quantinuum's H-Series systems demonstrate two-qubit gate fidelities of 99.87%—a benchmark that sets the standard for precision quantum operations (Quantinuum, 2024).

Quantum Volume (QV) provides a composite metric combining qubit count, connectivity, gate fidelity, and coherence time into a single figure of merit. While originally developed for quantum computing, QV principles inform quantum sensing system comparisons. Quantinuum achieved a quantum volume of 2,097,152 (2²¹) in April 2024, the highest recorded to date.

Total Quantum Factor (TQF) offers another composite measure calculated as (Average Coherence Time / Longest Gate Time) × Number of Qubits, providing a platform-agnostic comparison framework.

What's Working and What Isn't

What's Working

Trapped-ion systems have emerged as the leading platform for high-fidelity quantum operations. Quantinuum's racetrack architecture achieves all-to-all qubit connectivity with 56 fully connected qubits, enabling complex entanglement protocols essential for quantum-enhanced sensing. The trapped-ion approach trades raw qubit counts for superior gate fidelities and coherence times—a trade-off that favors precision sensing over raw computational power.

Cold-atom interferometry dominates commercial quantum gravimetry, capturing approximately 45% of the quantum sensing market (Straits Research, 2024). Companies like Nomad Atomics and AOSense have demonstrated field-deployable systems for resource exploration, groundwater monitoring, and inertial navigation. These systems achieve microgal-level gravity resolution, detecting underground density variations that classical gravimeters cannot resolve.

Diamond NV centers are proving exceptionally versatile due to their room-temperature operation and nanoscale spatial resolution. QuantumDiamonds launched the world's first commercial quantum semiconductor inspection tool in September 2024, demonstrating that quantum sensing can achieve product-market fit in high-value industrial applications. The room-temperature operation eliminates cryogenic infrastructure costs that have historically limited quantum technology adoption.

Software-defined quantum control is accelerating time-to-deployment. Q-CTRL's quantum infrastructure software abstracts hardware complexity, enabling application developers to deploy quantum sensing solutions without deep quantum engineering expertise. This approach reduced development timelines by 10× in navigation applications, according to company reports.

What Isn't Working

Scaling coherence times under real-world conditions remains the primary technical barrier. Laboratory demonstrations often report coherence times orders of magnitude longer than achievable in deployed systems exposed to environmental noise, vibration, and temperature fluctuations. The gap between controlled and field conditions can exceed 100× for some platforms.

Standardized benchmarking has not kept pace with commercial claims. Unlike classical sensors with decades of standardized testing protocols, quantum sensing lacks universally accepted benchmarking procedures. This enables inconsistent metric reporting that complicates procurement decisions. The QED-C and CEN/CENELEC are working toward standards, but adoption remains fragmented.

System integration costs often exceed sensor costs by 5-10×. Quantum sensors require specialized shielding, precision control electronics, and often custom optical components. These integration requirements limit deployability in cost-sensitive sustainability applications like distributed environmental monitoring networks.

Workforce availability constrains scaling. Quantum sensing requires expertise spanning physics, electrical engineering, and software development—a combination rare in the labor market. Training pipelines have not scaled with industry demand.

Key Players

Established Leaders

IBM operates the largest fleet of cloud-accessible quantum systems, with the 1,121-qubit Condor processor representing the highest qubit count achieved to date. IBM's quantum roadmap targets fault-tolerant quantum computing by 2029, with intermediate milestones including 15,000-gate systems by 2028 (IBM, 2024).

Google Quantum AI achieved a landmark error-correction breakthrough with the 105-qubit Willow chip in late 2024, demonstrating computation that would require 10 septillion years on classical hardware. Google's focus on quantum error correction directly enables sensing applications requiring extended measurement periods.

Quantinuum (the merged entity of Honeywell Quantum Solutions and Cambridge Quantum Computing) leads in trapped-ion technology with the highest quantum volume and gate fidelities in the industry. Their H2 system provides 56 fully connected qubits with 99.87% two-qubit gate fidelity.

Lockheed Martin has pivoted from pure defense applications to quantum navigation and sensing, securing Department of Defense contracts for quantum inertial navigation prototypes in March 2025.

Emerging Startups

Q-CTRL raised $113 million in Series B-2 funding in October 2024, the largest quantum technology funding round globally, for quantum infrastructure software spanning computing and sensing applications including GPS-denied navigation.

SandboxAQ launched AQNav, a commercial quantum navigation system providing real-time GPS-jamming-resistant positioning, in June 2024—demonstrating near-term revenue potential in defense and commercial aviation markets.

QLM Technology commercialized quantum gas sensors for methane leak detection, achieving parts-per-billion sensitivity from drone-mounted platforms—directly enabling corporate emissions reduction commitments.

QuantumDiamonds delivered the first commercial quantum semiconductor inspection tool in September 2024, proving product-market fit for industrial quantum sensing applications.

Key Investors & Funders

Quantonation operates the first venture fund dedicated exclusively to quantum and deep physics technologies, with Quantonation II receiving €30 million from the European Investment Fund for pre-seed to Series A investments.

Lockheed Martin Ventures and Airbus Ventures have emerged as strategic corporate investors targeting quantum sensing for aerospace and defense applications.

U.S. National Quantum Initiative reauthorization commits approximately $2.7 billion over five years to quantum technology R&D, with sensing identified as a priority application domain (NIST, 2024).

Japan's national quantum program announced $7.4 billion in 2025 funding—the largest single-country commitment—with significant allocation to quantum sensing for manufacturing and infrastructure monitoring.

Sector-Specific KPI Table

MetricDefinitionGoodBetterBest
T2 Coherence TimePhase coherence duration>100 μs>500 μs>1 ms
Magnetic SensitivityMinimum detectable field<50 nT/√Hz<20 nT/√Hz<10 nT/√Hz
Two-Qubit Gate FidelityOperation accuracy>99%>99.5%>99.9%
Quantum VolumeComposite performance metric>2¹⁵>2¹⁸>2²¹
Operating TemperatureThermal requirements4 K (cryogenic)77 K (liquid N₂)300 K (room temp)
System MTBFMean time between failures>500 hrs>2,000 hrs>5,000 hrs
Size, Weight, Power (SWaP)Deployability factorRack-mountPortableHandheld

Examples

  1. HSBC Bond Trading Optimization: In September 2024, HSBC deployed IBM's Heron quantum processor to improve bond trading predictions, achieving 34% improvement over classical computing approaches. This demonstrates near-term quantum advantage in financial applications with direct implications for sustainable finance—better pricing of green bonds reduces transaction costs and increases capital flows to sustainability projects.

  2. NASA Cold-Atom Sensing in Space: In August 2024, NASA demonstrated the first ultracold quantum sensor operating in space, validating that quantum sensing technologies can function outside terrestrial laboratory conditions. This milestone enables future satellite-based quantum gravimetry for global ice sheet monitoring, aquifer depletion tracking, and carbon storage verification—applications critical to climate science and sustainability policy.

  3. QuantumDiamonds Semiconductor Inspection: QuantumDiamonds' September 2024 commercial launch of a quantum microscopy tool for semiconductor failure analysis achieved sub-nanometer defect detection, reducing material waste in chip manufacturing. By identifying defects earlier in production, the technology supports circular economy objectives by minimizing scrap and enabling targeted repair of high-value components.

Action Checklist

  • Establish baseline classical sensor performance metrics for target applications before evaluating quantum alternatives
  • Request coherence time measurements under realistic operating conditions (temperature, vibration, electromagnetic environment) rather than laboratory specifications
  • Evaluate total system cost including integration, shielding, and control electronics—not just sensor cost
  • Verify vendor sensitivity claims using standardized protocols where available (QED-C benchmarks)
  • Assess workforce requirements for deployment and maintenance; plan for training or external support
  • Monitor quantum volume and gate fidelity improvements from major platform providers as indicators of technology maturity trajectory
  • Engage with standards bodies (QED-C, CEN/CENELEC) to inform emerging benchmarking frameworks

FAQ

Q: When will quantum sensors achieve clear cost-performance advantages over classical alternatives? A: For high-value applications like gravity mapping, GPS-denied navigation, and medical imaging, quantum sensors already demonstrate performance advantages that justify premium pricing. Cost parity with classical sensors for broader applications is projected by 2028-2030 as manufacturing scales and system integration matures. However, the relevant metric is total cost of ownership including operational savings from improved precision—not just acquisition cost.

Q: What coherence time is sufficient for practical quantum sensing applications? A: The required coherence time depends on the application. Magnetometry for geological surveys requires T2 values exceeding 100 microseconds, while precision navigation benefits from coherence times approaching 1 millisecond. Room-temperature NV diamond systems achieving 500+ microseconds represent a practical threshold for most industrial applications currently entering commercialization.

Q: How do I compare quantum sensing solutions from different technology platforms? A: Focus on application-specific metrics rather than platform-level specifications. For magnetic sensing, compare sensitivity (nT/√Hz) under matched operating conditions. For gravimetry, compare spatial resolution and measurement speed. Request third-party validation data where available. The emerging QED-C standardization framework will provide more comparable benchmarks as adoption increases.

Q: What role do quantum sensors play in sustainability monitoring? A: Quantum sensors enable measurement precision that directly supports sustainability objectives. Quantum gravimeters monitor groundwater depletion and verify geological carbon storage. Quantum gas sensors detect methane leaks at concentrations invisible to classical instruments. Quantum-enhanced MRI reduces healthcare energy consumption by eliminating cryogenic requirements. The sustainability value often lies in enabling measurements previously impossible rather than improving existing measurement accuracy.

Q: Are quantum sensing systems ready for field deployment outside laboratories? A: Select quantum sensing technologies have achieved field-deployable status. Cold-atom gravimeters from AOSense and Nomad Atomics operate in exploration and geophysical survey applications. SandboxAQ's AQNav provides GPS-alternative navigation in commercial settings. However, many platforms remain laboratory-bound due to size, environmental sensitivity, or power requirements. Evaluation should confirm Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7+ for operational deployment.

Sources

Topics

quantumtechnologiessymmetrydecoherenceopextraceabilityunit economics

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