An Overview of Quantum Detection Methods for Shaft-Rate Electric Fields

A shaft-rate electric field (SREF) is a weak characteristic signal generated by moving ships in the ocean, serving as a key physical feature in underwater target detection and identification. Based on the generation mechanism of shaft-frequency electric fields, the research progress of traditional detection and extraction methods was systematically reviewed. On this basis, the feasible paths for applying quantum technology in SREF detection were further elaborated by integrating the core characteristics of quantum technology. Results indicated that Rydberg atoms and diamond nitrogen-vacancy centers demonstrate promising feasibility for detecting SREFs, exhibiting significant advantages over conventional methods in sensitivity and precision. Meanwhile, addressing the detection frequency and measurement intensity constituted a crucial breakthrough for the development of quantum technology-based SREF detection. This study aims to provide theoretical foundations and technical feasibility analysis for the quantum detection of SREFs, promoting the paradigm shift in this field from traditional methods to highly sensitive quantum sensing.