Quantum sensor of new generation

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to develop a prototype of new quantum sensor whose sensing element is a Yanson point contact. The exceptional features of quantum point-contact sensors, besides the proper quantum properties of Yanson point contacts, are due to a number of their fundamental properties. These properties include the specific potential distribution in the contact contributing to the appearance of the point-contact gas-sensitive effect and the gapless electrode system formed in the point-contact conduction channel in a liquid medium and responsible for the cyclic switchover effect which makes it possible to record a broad spectrum of quantum states in dendritic Yanson point contacts placed in the analyzed media. Conductance histograms corresponding to the quantum states of dendritic point contacts undergoing transformations are markers of certain media and could be recorded with the prototype of new quantum sensor developed in our paper. The efficiency of the developed prototype was demonstrated in experiments with gaseous media of argon and ambient air. The obtained results lay the foundations for the development of new generation of quantum sensors for selective detection in liquid and gaseous media.