Rochester Institute of Technology: Researchers Map Keywords to Boost Quantum Sensing in Education

A thorough analysis of educational materials reveals how quantum sensing is currently represented. Namitha Pradeep and Ben Zwickl at Rochester Institute of Technology analysed six widely used textbooks covering modern physics, quantum mechanics, and quantum computing to identify relevant keywords and assess the depth of related discussions. The analysis shows considerable variation in the presentation of quantum sensing concepts across different subjects and approaches, specifically between textbooks prioritising spin versus position, and highlights a gap in educational coverage as quantum sensing lags behind quantum computing in curriculum development. A survey of over 8,000 quantum-related courses also provides valuable insights for integrating quantum sensing into physics and related disciplines, enabling a broader scope of quantum information science and engineering education. A set of keywords related to quantum sensing was identified and used to tag excerpts in textbooks where these concepts appeared, alongside recording the context within each textbook. Network maps were constructed to visualise keyword appearances and their frequency within each subject area, and an analytic rubric was developed to evaluate the conceptual and…