Maximum Length Sequence Phase Encoding for Quantum Sensor Readout

Read the official notice on SAM.gov

Summary from the notice

Quantum sensors can detect extremely small electromagnetic and magnetic signatures, which makes them powerful tools for geophysical analysis, materials detection, environmental monitoring, and scientific research. Their sensitivity also makes them vulnerable to interference from ambient RF sources, electrical noise, and outdoor or industrial environments. Traditional readout methods attempt to preserve the phase of the sensor or allow it to evolve uniformly, but these approaches can produce ambiguous results or false positives when exposed to strong interference. Los Alamos researchers developed a pseudorandom phase-encoding method that allows a quantum sensor to distinguish true target signals from substantial background noise. By applying a maximum length sequence, also called an msequence, the sensor’s phase is flipped by 180 degrees according to a designed pattern. The resulting measurement is analyzed using correlation against the known sequence, enabling accurate extraction of the intended signal even when conventional methods fail to differentiate between interference and true sensor output. Advantages Improves quantum sensor performance in noisy outdoor and industrial settings Distinguishes true sensor signals from interfering or spurious noise Reduces false positives without added shielding or multichannel detection Integrates into existing measurement protocols with minimal modification Compatible with a range of quantum sensing platforms, including magnetic and ele…