Multi-messenger astronomy, the coordinated observation of different classes of signals that originate from the same astrophysical event, provides a wealth of information about astrophysical processes¹. So far, multi-messenger astronomy has correlated signals from known fundamental forces and standard model particles like electromagnetic radiation, neutrinos and gravitational waves. Many of the open questions of modern physics suggest the existence of exotic fields with light quanta (with masses ≪1 eV c⁻²). Quantum sensor networks could be used to search for astrophysical signals that are predicted by theories beyond the standard model² that address these questions. Here, we show that networks of precision quantum sensors that, by design, are shielded from or are insensitive to conventional standard model physics signals can be a powerful tool for multi-messenger astronomy. We consider the case in which high-energy astrophysical events produce intense bursts of exotic low-mass fields (ELFs), and we propose a novel model for the potential detection of an ELF signal on the basis of general assumptions. We estimate ELF signal amplitudes, delays, rates and distances of gravitational-wave sources to which global networks of atomic magnetometers^3,4,5 and atomic clocks^6,7,8 could be sensitive. We find that such precision quantum sensor networks can function as ELF telescopes to detect signals from sources that generate ELF bursts of sufficient intensity.

多信使天文学是源自同一天体事件的不同类别信号的协调观测，提供了有关天体过程¹的大量信息。到目前为止，多信使天文学已经将来自已知基本力和标准模型粒子（如电磁辐射，中微子和引力波）的信号关联起来。现代物理学中许多悬而未决的问题都表明存在具有光量子（质量≪ 1 eV c ^-2）的奇异场。量子传感器网络可用于搜索超出标准模型^2的理论所预测的天体信号解决这些问题。在这里，我们表明，通过设计对常规标准模型物理信号屏蔽或不敏感的精密量子传感器网络可以成为多消息天文学的强大工具。我们考虑高能天体事件产生强烈的外来低质量场（ELF）爆发的情况，并在一般假设的基础上，提出了一种新颖的潜在ELF信号检测模型。我们估计全球原子力磁力计^3、4、5和原子钟^6、7、8的全球网络的引力波源的ELF信号幅度，延迟，速率和距离可能很敏感。我们发现，这种精确的量子传感器网络可以用作ELF望远镜，以检测来自产生足够强度ELF突发的源的信号。