Quantum point-contact sensors: State of the art and prospects

Gennadii Kamarchuk (1, 2) , Olexander Pospelov (3) , Volodymyr Vakula (1) , Eric Faulques (4, 5, 2)

1 ILTPE - B. Verkin Institute for Low Temperature Physics and Engineering
2 IMN - Institut des Matériaux de Nantes Jean Rouxel
3 NTUKPI - National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute"
4 EPIPHY - IEMN - EPItaxie et PHYsique des hétérostructures - IEMN
5 IEMN - Institut d’Électronique, de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologie - UMR 8520

We present generalized information on the new type of universal quantum detectors operating on the basis of Yanson point contacts. The properties and capabilities of quantum point-contact detectors are totally different from those of conventional sensors based on the principle of changing electric conductance. To give an idea of the nature of these differences, we examine the spectral properties of Yanson point contacts, which are fundamental for understanding the operation mechanisms of quantum point-contact sensors. One of the most important features that determine the functioning of point-contact sensing elements is the quantum detection mechanisms discovered during the study of the point-contact gas-sensitive effect. The detection mechanisms based on the energy principles of analysis and conductance quantization are considered. The innovative methods developed using breath analysis with quantum point-contact sensors made it possible for the first time to detect in real time carcinogenic strains of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and the hormonal background of the human body. The future work will be focused on universalizing the technology of quantum point-contact sensors, addressing various problems including evaluation of the general state of the human body and solutions to global ecological problems.

Mots clés: Quantum sensor; Yanson point-contact spectroscopy; Conductance quantization; Cyclic switchover effect; Quantum mechanism of selective detection; Breath analysis

Domaines: Chimie analytique; Ingénierie biomédicale; Micro et nanotechnologies/Microélectronique

Gennadii Kamarchuk, Olexander Pospelov, Volodymyr Vakula, Eric Faulques. Quantum point-contact sensors: State of the art and prospects. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical, 2024, 402, pp.135064. ⟨10.1016/j.snb.2023.135064⟩. ⟨hal-04548686⟩