A new generation of sensors is on the way: quantum sensors. Unlike conventional models, they do not need to be calibrated and always deliver exact values. They also open up applications that were not possible with previous sensors — for example, the contactless detection of mineral resources. Experts will provide interesting background on this topic at the user conference with accompanying trade exhibition Quantum Photonics on May 5 and 6, 2026, in Erfurt.
Quantum sensors use quantum effects such as entanglement or superposition to measure physical quantities — such as magnetic fields, time, temperature, or pressure — with high precision. But what advantages does this offer? The most common assumption is that quantum sensors measure much more accurately. “That is usually not true,” says Prof. Dr. Thomas Ortlepp, Managing Director of CiS Forschungsinstitut für Mikrosensorik GmbH. “What is really better are two things. First, calibration: conventional sensors must be calibrated before use, meaning their measured values have to be compared with those of a reference. In addition, their signal drifts over time; which is why, especially in industrial measurement technology, they must be recalibrated by TÜV every two years.” By contrast, a quantum sensor refers directly to natural constants and is therefore absolutely accurate — without any calibration at all. This does not change even after several years of operation; over its entire lifecycle, it always delivers the same signal. The measured value is therefore absolutely reliable. “This lack of need for calibration is especially interesting for industrial applications. It also enables measurements in areas where calibration is not feasible — for example, in hard-to-reach technical installations or satellites,” Ortlepp explains. The second major advantage: quantum sensors cannot be manipulated — any attempt to tamper with them destroys the signal. If energy suppliers were to use quantum based electricity meters, consumers would no longer have any way to obtain electricity for free.
Detecting mineral resources — without test drilling
Quantum sensors can also help locate mineral resources. The company supracon AG researches superconducting sensors and circuits — and received the International Mining Award for building a magnetic quantum system for mineral resource measurement, a highly endowed award from the mining industry. The sensor has already proven successful in Canada, for example, where it detected large copper deposits. No test drilling is required: because the sensor measures the Earth’s magnetic field, which is altered by mineral resources, the data can be collected conveniently from an aircraft. The result is a magnetic map of the earth layer — down to a depth of 500 meters — from which conclusions can be drawn about the composition of the subsurface layers. The measuring system is now in industrial use: it measures magnetic fields so precisely that the Earth’s magnetic field and other interference factors do not matter.
Such measurements would not be possible with classical systems. At the Quantum Photonics user conference, Matthias Meyer, member of the board of supracon AG, will provide deeper insights into this field.
Single-photon detectors for satellite communication
How can individual photons be detected? At the “Quantum for Instrumentation and Measurement” forum at the Quantum Photonics trade fair, Prof. Dr. Ronny Stolz explains new developments surrounding this question. He heads the “Quantum Systems” department at the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology in Jena and is also an honorary professor at Technische Universität Ilmenau. There he develops the necessary technologies to measure individual photons with high quantum efficiency. Applications can be found, for example, in satellite communication and in Quantum Key Distribution, a method that allows cryptographic keys to be transmitted securely against eavesdropping on the basis of quantum physics.
Thuringia: Germany’s quantum hub
In Thuringia, optics and quantum technology are considered together — especially since Jena in particular has a long optical history thanks to the ZEISS Group and Jenoptik AG, complemented by top-level research institutions such as Fraunhofer IOF and Friedrich Schiller University Jena.
Thuringia is also a sensor region: many technology developments revolve around sensor technology, whether at TU Ilmenau, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, or in companies such as UST Umweltsensortechnik GmbH in Geschwenda. “Thuringia has the potential to closely interlink microelectronics, optics, and photonics — and thus advance these key technologies for important application areas of quantum technologies,” says Dr. Gabriel Kittler, Managing Director of X-FAB Semiconductor Foundries GmbH in Erfurt and forum spokesperson for “Quantum for Instrumentation & Measurement” at Quantum Photonics. “In short, Thuringia offers a strong foundation for quantum photonics.”
Parallel event rapid.tech 3D
rapid.tech 3D, a focused event on the many industrial application possibilities of additive manufacturing, will take place in parallel with Quantum Photonics from 5 to 7 May 2026 in Exhibition Hall 2. As additive manufacturing is used in particular for many optics-based quantum technologies, the close integration of the congress, forum and networking formats of both events will create synergies for exhibitors and visitors alike.
The complete conference programme of Quantum Photonics and tickets for the specialist congress with exhibition are available online at www.quantum-photonics.de.
Quantum sensors use quantum effects such as entanglement or superposition to measure physical quantities — such as magnetic fields, time, temperature, or pressure — with high precision. But what advantages does this offer? The most common assumption is that quantum sensors measure much more accurately. “That is usually not true,” says Prof. Dr. Thomas Ortlepp, Managing Director of CiS Forschungsinstitut für Mikrosensorik GmbH. “What is really better are two things. First, calibration: conventional sensors must be calibrated before use, meaning their measured values have to be compared with those of a reference. In addition, their signal drifts over time; which is why, especially in industrial measurement technology, they must be recalibrated by TÜV every two years.” By contrast, a quantum sensor refers directly to natural constants and is therefore absolutely accurate — without any calibration at all. This does not change even after several years of operation; over its entire lifecycle, it always delivers the same signal. The measured value is therefore absolutely reliable. “This lack of need for calibration is especially interesting for industrial applications. It also enables measurements in areas where calibration is not feasible — for example, in hard-to-reach technical installations or satellites,” Ortlepp explains. The second major advantage: quantum sensors cannot be manipulated — any attempt to tamper with them destroys the signal. If energy suppliers were to use quantum based electricity meters, consumers would no longer have any way to obtain electricity for free.
Detecting mineral resources — without test drilling
Quantum sensors can also help locate mineral resources. The company supracon AG researches superconducting sensors and circuits — and received the International Mining Award for building a magnetic quantum system for mineral resource measurement, a highly endowed award from the mining industry. The sensor has already proven successful in Canada, for example, where it detected large copper deposits. No test drilling is required: because the sensor measures the Earth’s magnetic field, which is altered by mineral resources, the data can be collected conveniently from an aircraft. The result is a magnetic map of the earth layer — down to a depth of 500 meters — from which conclusions can be drawn about the composition of the subsurface layers. The measuring system is now in industrial use: it measures magnetic fields so precisely that the Earth’s magnetic field and other interference factors do not matter.
Such measurements would not be possible with classical systems. At the Quantum Photonics user conference, Matthias Meyer, member of the board of supracon AG, will provide deeper insights into this field.
Single-photon detectors for satellite communication
How can individual photons be detected? At the “Quantum for Instrumentation and Measurement” forum at the Quantum Photonics trade fair, Prof. Dr. Ronny Stolz explains new developments surrounding this question. He heads the “Quantum Systems” department at the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology in Jena and is also an honorary professor at Technische Universität Ilmenau. There he develops the necessary technologies to measure individual photons with high quantum efficiency. Applications can be found, for example, in satellite communication and in Quantum Key Distribution, a method that allows cryptographic keys to be transmitted securely against eavesdropping on the basis of quantum physics.
Thuringia: Germany’s quantum hub
In Thuringia, optics and quantum technology are considered together — especially since Jena in particular has a long optical history thanks to the ZEISS Group and Jenoptik AG, complemented by top-level research institutions such as Fraunhofer IOF and Friedrich Schiller University Jena.
Thuringia is also a sensor region: many technology developments revolve around sensor technology, whether at TU Ilmenau, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, or in companies such as UST Umweltsensortechnik GmbH in Geschwenda. “Thuringia has the potential to closely interlink microelectronics, optics, and photonics — and thus advance these key technologies for important application areas of quantum technologies,” says Dr. Gabriel Kittler, Managing Director of X-FAB Semiconductor Foundries GmbH in Erfurt and forum spokesperson for “Quantum for Instrumentation & Measurement” at Quantum Photonics. “In short, Thuringia offers a strong foundation for quantum photonics.”
Parallel event rapid.tech 3D
rapid.tech 3D, a focused event on the many industrial application possibilities of additive manufacturing, will take place in parallel with Quantum Photonics from 5 to 7 May 2026 in Exhibition Hall 2. As additive manufacturing is used in particular for many optics-based quantum technologies, the close integration of the congress, forum and networking formats of both events will create synergies for exhibitors and visitors alike.
The complete conference programme of Quantum Photonics and tickets for the specialist congress with exhibition are available online at www.quantum-photonics.de.
