QSTeM: quantum mechanical testbed

Many sensors in modern technology are based on mechanical oscillators. Their high sensitivity makes them suitable for detecting a wide range of physical quantities, including pressure, temperature, charge, nanoparticle mass, force, and acceleration for navigation systems.

Ultra-coherent mechanical systems, combined with quantum-limited measurement and control techniques, are now pushing the boundaries of sensing performance.

QSTeM, the Dutch testbed for mechanical quantum sensing, provides an environment for benchmarking state-of-the-art sensing technologies and developing novel mechanical sensing platforms under controlled and challenging operating conditions.

QSTeM aims to create a dedicated facility for testing mechanical quantum sensors while bringing together stakeholders from academia, industry, and government.

The testbed supports application areas such as navigation, security, medical, personalised healthcare technologies, and more.

QSTeM operates as a service-oriented facility, offering both independent benchmarking of emerging sensor technologies and support for proof-of-concept sensor development.

The STeM testbed is currently available for the following testing, benchmarking and research.

Cryogenic testing

QSTeM provides a cryogenic testing station for characterising sensor performance at well-controlled temperatures ranging from 2 K to 300 K (room temperature).

The station is compatible with a broad range of sensor technologies, including:

• Mechanical quantum sensors

• MEMS-based sensors

• Optomechanical devices

• Optical sensors, including Fibre Bragg Grating sensors

• Electrical sensors

The setup also features high-precision cryogenic nanopositioning.

Controlled-vacuum testing

Our vacuum testing station provides accurately controlled pressure conditions ranging from ambient pressure down to 10⁻⁷ mbar.

The station supports:

• Mechanical quantum sensors

• MEMS-based sensors

• Optomechanical devices

• Optical sensors, including Fibre Bragg Grating sensors

• Electrical sensors

The setup enables acceleration and nanopositioning under vacuum, as well as temperature stabilisation.

Ultra-sensitive interferometric readout

QSTeM operates an interferometric measurement setup capable of detecting extremely small vibrations, with a sensitivity down to approximately 10 fm/√Hz.

The interferometric setup can be combined with both the cryogenic and vacuum testing stations.

Sensor benchmarking

QSTeM provides consistent benchmarking of mechanical sensing technologies against state-of-the-art reference systems and measurement methods.

QSTeM also supports the identification and exploration of new applications for quantum-limited and quantum-enabled mechanical sensors.

Expanding the testbed

QSTeM is continuously developing its capabilities to meet the needs of the sensing community.

We are interested in expanding the facility with capabilities such as:

• Additional laser wavelengths

• Vibration testing

• Magnetic-field testing

• Quantum light sources, including squeezed-light sources

If your sensing technology requires a capability that is not yet available, we would like to hear from you. Your requirements can help shape the QSTeM facility's future development.