Very kind, thanks Joshua.
I derived a fairly comprehensive model of the quantum sensors, in this case specially selected Zener diodes. This was a challenge since the Quantum Field Detector is a non-standard use, and little or no information is available in the literature on certain specifics. I will publish when I get a chance to perfect the 15-page technical paper.
For now the model allows me to extend and perfect the design, which includes using 16 to 128 diodes per sensor direction. In a custom integrated circuit, that number could easily be pushed to 1024, or even much more.
I mentioned a recent paper by Dean Radin, et al, where they measured analog signals from Zener diodes. They “make sure” their diodes produce all noise sources: thermal noise, shot noise and avalanche noise. Thermal noise may be useful as a noise source, but it is not quantum mechanical in the sense we work with, and it is entirely unnecessary – even undesirable. However, every Zener diode has an internal series resistance, Rz (sometimes denoted Zener impedance, Zz), so there is always a thermal noise component. The diode selection includes having minimal Rz at the operating current, Iz. Likewise, avalanche noise will be present, even dominant, depending on the Zener voltage, Vz, selected. In diodes with Vz below about 4V, Iz is dominated by tunneling current, which produces quantum mechanical shot noise. When Vz is above about 7V, avalanche noise dominates. There is no distinct transition between 4 and 7 volts, rather there is a mixture of both shot and avalanche noise in this range. Avalanche noise is also not quantum mechanical for our purposes. And, it is also entirely unnecessary and undesirable. Note, the 4 and 7 volts mentioned are not precise, and vary a little between manufacturers.
I use Zeners with Vz of 1.8 or 2.0V to make sure quantum tunneling noise dominates to a high degree (about 97% of noise amplitude due to tunneling in the Zeners). The design also requires optimum bias current, Iz, and bias resistor value, Rb, and an amplifier with sufficiently low noise specifications.
Testing, improved modeling and some design tweaks are constant and ongoing.