Magnetics Business & Technology - January/February 2025 - 12

FEATURE ARTICLE
SBQuantum Pioneers Quantum Magnetometry for Defense, Aerospace & Minerals Exploration
Green lasers and emitted red light are key aspects of SBQuantum's advancements in quantum magnetometry
Poised to disrupt traditional notions in magnetic measurement and
our comprehension of the earth's magnetic field, quantum magnetometry
is garnering increased attention. A trailblazing developer
of quantum diamond magnetometers is SBQuantum located in
Sherbrooke about 150 km east of Montreal in the Canadian province
of Quebec. Recent developments by the company include
significant contracts with national space agencies and a collaboration
with Silicon Microgravity focused on minerals exploration,
along with advancement to finalist status in the prestigious MagQuest
Challenge to help build the World Magnetic Model 2030.
The European Space Agency recently contracted SB Quantum
to evaluate the viability of its quantum diamond magnetometer
technology in space. ESA is assessing both the reliability and accuracy
of its sensors, as well as how they could be deployed on a
satellite in space for a range of applications. The contract focuses
on applications enriching human understanding of Earth and its
magnetic environment. For instance, satellite-based magnetometers
can be useful in monitoring magnetic storms, which can
disrupt navigation and communications.
The Canadian Space Agency has also selected SBQuantum for
its magnetometer at an altitude of 40km as part of the STRATOS
Program. The testing is designed to demonstrate the instrument's
ability to collect precise data in temperatures as low as -60 Celsius
(-76 Fahrenheit) and low-pressure environments, while also
being exposed to radiation. The project includes a demonstration
of magnetic field-based positioning using a quantum diamond
magnetometer, as opposed to relying on the heavy infrastructure
of traditional GPS which is subject to signal jamming.
" These contracts are further evidence
of the tremendous potential
of the quantum diamond magnetometers
we are commercializing at
SBQuantum, " said David Roy-Guay,
CEO of SBQuantum. " Years of
investment, research and development
are now beginning to pay off,
as leading organizations in space
exploration are acknowledging that
our hardware has the potential to
provide an important advantage over
existing technologies. Furthermore,
these sensors can be deployed for a
range of applications, and therefore
provide significant value to the user
at a fraction of the cost of the legacy
technologies currently in use. "
David Roy-Guay, CEO of
SBQuantum
" The technology is promising, and we are optimistic that its advantages
can be realized in space as well " added Aaron Strangfeld,
Quantum Engineer at ESA.
The projects build the company's momentum from the MagQuest
Challenge, which is organized by the National Geospatial-Intelligence
Agency, an agency within the U.S. Department of Defense,
in partnership with the NASA Tournament Lab. SBQuantum is
currently a finalist in that challenge, which will see its quantum
magnetometer sent into space for testing. The results will determine
if the device is suitable to be used by the agencies for mapping
and monitoring the earth's magnetic field.
12 Magnetics Business & Technology * January/February 2025
www.MagneticsMag.com

http://www.MagneticsMag.com

Magnetics Business & Technology - January/February 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Magnetics Business & Technology - January/February 2025