Sensor system and method for sensing a physical quantity

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a sensor system sensing a physical quantity. The system includes an excitation source for generating an excitation signal. A sensing volume includes quantum system(s), wherein the sensing volume is arranged to receive the excitation signal. The excitation signal induces an emission and/or an adaption of an optical signal by the sensing volume. A characteristic(s) of the optical signal depends on the physical quantity. An imaging system applies a transformation to the optical signal, thereby generating a transformed optical signal at an image plane. A spatially dependent attenuator is arranged at the image plane and attenuates the transformed optical signal. An optical sensor captures the thus attenuated optical signal and detects an image formed by the optical signal. A processor extracts an information on the physical quantity from the captured image pattern.