Workshop 7

Participant Profile

This workshop will provide a detailed examination of the current landscape of quantum computing and quantum sensing in geosciences, presenting tangible progress and the way forward rather than speculative future possibilities. With a lineup of speakers from academia, quantum technology companies, research labs, and early adopters in geosciences, this event will focus on what has already been achieved and the challenges that remain.

The first half of the workshop will cover developments in quantum computing, particularly in the realm of hybrid classical-quantum computing. While quantum processing units are still in the R&D phase, some early applications are already being implemented into geophysical workflows. These approaches predominantly leverage the strengths of quantum annealing for specific optimization problems in signal processing and imaging. The focus will be on recent applications that have demonstrated potential of reaching measurable improvements in computation times or accuracy with the next generation of devices. Presenters will walk through early promising use cases, illustrating where and how quantum computing has been applied, while highlighting the technical constraints that still need to be addressed for wider adoption.

The second half of the workshop will shift to quantum sensing, where practical applications are expected to arrive much sooner. Quantum magnetometry, gravimetry, and geodesy are starting to already make an impact, and the workshop will present concrete examples of their use in geophysical research. Quantum magnetometry with nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers, for example, has shown promise for more precise magnetic field measurements, which are crucial for everything from core analysis to mapping geomagnetic anomalies. Similarly, quantum gravimetry with cold atoms and superconducting devices is emerging as a tool for detecting subtle gravitational variations, offering new ways to study Earth’s interior and detect subsurface features like caverns or groundwater reservoirs with far greater precision than classical tools allow.

Beyond just the technologies themselves, this workshop will also address the ecosystem surrounding them. Attendees will hear from early end-users who have tested and implemented these quantum solutions in geoscientific contexts. These speakers will provide valuable feedback on both the successes and limitations of integrating quantum technologies into existing workflows.

There will also be discussions on the business case for these technologies, particularly focusing on what kinds of problems they are best suited for, and what return on investment (ROI) might realistically look like in the near-term.

This workshop is designed to inform, not speculate. Attendees can expect rigorous technical discussions balanced with practical insights into the business impacts of these emerging technologies. Whether you are a geoscientist, researcher, or industry professional looking to explore how quantum technologies can enhance your work, or a decision-maker interested in the potential economic impacts, this session will provide a realistic, fact-based overview of what quantum technologies can offer today and where they are heading.

Sub-Topics that will be covered in the workshop:

Part I: Quantum computing:

• High level introduction to different forms of quantum computing (gate-based, analogue, hybrid classical-quantum)
• Most recent examples of applications of hybrid classical-quantum analogue computing in signal processing an imaging

Part II: Quantum sensing

• High level introduction to quantum sensing and its different forms: key enablers and challenges
• Quantum magnetometry with nitrogen vacancy centers
• Quantum gravimetry with cold atoms and superconducting devices
• Quantum geodesy
• Recent applications thereof in geosciences