Physics Colloquium with Bonnie Marlow

Turning Science into Systems: Quantum Sensing R&D at MITRE

Quantum sensors are expected to offer novel capabilities for a wide range of applications, including positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT), resilient communications, and microelectronics assurance. While some quantum sensors are already commercially available, many sensors still require substantial basic and applied research to meet the performance, reliability, and integration needs of each application. In this colloquium, I’ll give a brief introduction to the different types of quantum sensors and share an overview of MITRE’s research and prototyping efforts in two of these sensors—a Rydberg atom electric field sensor for radio frequency (RF) communications and sensing, and a Quantum Diamond Microscope for microelectronics imaging. I’ll also discuss how quantum sensors could support PNT when GPS is unavailable or unreliable through stable atomic clocks, inertial sensors, and position-fixing techniques using Earth’s magnetic and gravitational fields. Along the way, I’ll also share my path from undergraduate internships through applied quantum sensor research at MITRE. I’ll close with a systems engineering perspective on accelerating the field of quantum sensing—starting with the problem an application needs to solve, connecting sensor physics to system-level performance, and tackling practical constraints early. Throughout, I’ll highlight how fundamental physics and engineering work together—and how undergraduate research can be a starting point for a career that spans both.

Dr. Bonnie Marlow is a physicist specializing in quantum sensors and nonlinear optics. Her work is centered around enabling risk reduction for the development and deployment of quantum and other emerging technologies. Currently, Bonnie is a Senior Principal Physicist and Research Program Leader at MITRE, where she is responsible for technical and strategic leadership in quantum sensing and leads a portfolio developing RF, optical, and acoustic sensing technologies as part of MITRE’s Independent Research and Development Program. Bonnie earned an AB degree in Physics from Bryn Mawr College and AM and PhD degrees in Physics from Duke University. Her doctoral research focused on experimental and theoretical studies of nonlinear optical effects in ultracold atoms. She was also a postdoctoral researcher at the Joint Quantum Institute, where her research focused on non-classical states of light for precision metrology.