I don't know about the quantums but to detect the waves you basically split a laser beam using mirrors and redirect each split to a detector. When the wave hits

I don't know about the quantums but to detect the waves you basically split a laser beam using mirrors and redirect each split to a detector. When the wave hits it stretches each split in the beam slightly which causes an interference pattern. That pattern, as it evolves over time as the wave hits, can be converted into sound which is that "chirp" that everyone talks about.