Annual Report 2014–15 2 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15 Quantum Technology Hub 3
I am delighted to welcome you to the first annual report of the UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology. I have always believed in the mutual benefits of science and technology: new technology often underpins breakthrough scientific discoveries, which in turn pave the way for disruptive technology jumps of the future with huge economic impact.
The £270 million UK National Quantum Technologies Programme supported by over £30 million from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is a bold move by the UK government to accelerate the transition from fundamental science into multi-billion-pound economic benefit. This has not only raised significant international attention, with other countries following our example, but also attracted industrial support of over £60 million in an area that otherwise would still be beyond the radar of commercial blue-sky scanning. Here lies the chance to really move ahead of the competition and create an unparalleled ecosystem for economic growth in quantum technology (QT).
This hub brings together key science and engineering expertise from the universities of Birmingham, Glasgow, Nottingham, Southampton, Strathclyde and Sussex, to work alongside over 70 industry partners to transform science into technology, develop a skilled workforce and strong user base, feeding market and supply chains for new quantum technology sensor and metrology products.
We have invested £17 million in capital equipment, and have retained and recruited a strong team made up of international researchers, bringing their expertise for the benefit of the UK. I am delighted that our core team also includes key industrial figures, providing expertise, purpose, direction, challenge and management for the Hub’s work. We do not stand still, and the formation of new academic and industrial collaborations is a critical success factor for this hub. Seven additional industry-led Innovate UK projects have already been initiated with a total volume approaching £2 million.
This QT ecosystem requires end users, integrators, system manufacturers, sub systems, components, tooling, materials and elements of optics, magnets, lasers, power supplies, heating and cooling, atom and ion sources, ultra-high vacuum technologies, data processing, systems integration, process control, fabrication, packaging solutions and product design. Industrial partners at all stages of the emerging supply chains will be required to meet the market potential, and our work is to build confidence and encourage investment to facilitate this growth. One part of this plan is embodied in our Quantum Technology Transfer Centre, featuring laboratories, capital equipment and office space available for use by industrial and academic collaborators, which is now open in Birmingham.
I look forward to being able to discuss the opportunities with you, including co-location of development facilities; meet the team events; Hub newsletters; and access to funding, equipment, scientists and engineers for collaborative research.
Professor Kai Bongs Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award holder Director of the UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology 4 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Key Messages
In 2013, the UK government invested £270 We are part of a coherent government, industry million over five years into the National Quantum and academic community. This gives the UK a Technologies Programme. This is accelerating world-leading position in emerging multi-billion- the translation of innovative laboratory research pound quantum technology markets, substantially into commercially viable technologies, supporting enhancing the value of some of the largest UK- British business and making a real difference in based industries. our everyday lives. The UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology is a key component of this programme.
We are committed to the programme’s vision, providing an easy entry point for companies interested in unlocking the potential of emerging quantum technology markets. We engage with and support industry by funding grants to help companies to identify and develop uses, applications and markets for new technologies which will impact their business.
We are developing and delivering smaller, cheaper, more accurate and energy-efficient components and systems (pages 13–26). These include ultra-high vacuum systems (pages 18 and 49–51). Quantum TechnologyKey Messages Hub 5
Using a new generation of quantum technologies, we are now enabling and driving a new range of previously impossible devices and systems to solve currently intractable problems (pages 27–48). For example, a gravimeter demonstrator is very close to completion for use outdoors. This demonstrator will enable practical research trials towards the detection and location of smaller and more deeply buried features, including pipelines and cable conduits, under difficult ground conditions (pages 46–48).
Our research will dramatically improve the We are building prototypes and demonstrators accuracy of measuring time, frequency, rotation, for quantum sensor technology. These are magnetic fields and gravity. It will have a tangible advancing applications across a range of impact across a wide range of applications, sectors including healthcare (pages 31–32 including electronic stock trading; GPS and 44–45), navigation (pages 24–29, 36–39 navigation; dementia research; and the mapping and 51), defence (page 39) and archaeology of pipework and cabling below the road surface (pages 27–29). (pages 27–48).
We are supporting the development of a supply We continue to work with supply chain and chain for the manufacture of these devices, end-user industry partners. Together, we are enabling the outputs to be adopted by industry creating a seamless link between science and for full commercialisation (pages 49–51). applications, transforming business, government and society. 6 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Contents
Context 7 Vision 7 Research Programme 8 Research and Innovation Achievements 12 Deliverables 12 Objectives 13 WP1: Lasers and Electronics 14 WP2: Atomics 17 WP3: Special Lasers 20 WP4: Systems Packaging 25 WP5: Gravity Sensing 28 WP6: Magnetic Sensors 31 WP7: Rotation Sensors 34 WP8: Clocks 37 WP9: Quantum Imaging 41 WP10: Market Building and Networking 44 WP11: Gravity in Civil Engineering 47 WP12: Systems Engineering and Technology Translation 50 Engagement and Pathways to Impact 54 Engagement with core technology partners 55 Engagement with potential users of novel products 56 Engagement with clients, civil servants and policy makers 57 Engagement with researchers 58 Conferences and events 60 Public engagement 61 Quantum Sensors and Metrology Community 62 QT people 62 Intellectual assets 64 Collaborations 65 Use of partnership resource 66 Effective and efficient operations 66 Further funding 67 Grant spend profile 67 Governance and advisors 67 Context and Vision 7
Context Vision
The UK government has recognised that Quantum superposition lies at the heart of Progress at the two-year stage: recent advances in science, engineering quantum theory, allowing two classically Demonstrators for gravity, magnetic and manufacturing capabilities, together distinct and exclusive alternatives to coexist. field and rotation sensing with a strong UK research base in quantum The mission of this QT Hub is to take this Multimode entangled light source technology and the willingness of key well-tested cornerstone of quantum mechanics, for bio-imaging partners to collaborate, combine to present combined with a strong sense of technology, Miniaturised components including a a major national opportunity. Building upon and provide a five-year route to practical wafer-integrated Raman-laser, pump-less two decades of investment in the academic demonstrations of marketable devices which, vacuum chambers, ion/atom chips for quantum community, a further £270 million has by exploiting this principle, outperform magnetometry, laser systems for Sr cooling, now been invested to create the UK National conventional sensors. Our ambition extends inertial stabilisation systems and 3D printed Quantum Technologies Programme. This beyond this five-year period to envision the atom chip base structures programme aims to convert the next generation Hub’s leaders nurturing QT into maturity. First demonstrations of gravity sensing of quantum technologies from laboratory in civil engineering applications outside science into innovative and marketable The focus of this Hub is to put in place all that the laboratory products, rooted in the UK and able to is required to generate commercial businesses Rotation sensor system simulation software: deliver long-term societal benefits. from these ideas. This is being achieved by to be assessed by end-user partners before developing and evolving a thematic programme transfer to other sensors The programme was formed as a collaboration of research, technology development between the Department for Business, and innovation activities to accelerate the Progress at the five-year stage: Innovation and Skills, the Engineering and development and application of quantum Fully integrated laser, and optical Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), technologies. The Hub has a clear strategy delivery, systems on the market Innovate UK, the National Physical Laboratory with two- and five-year goals. Demonstrators shrunk to less than (NPL), the Defence Science and Technology ten litres outperforming current state- Laboratory (Dstl) and the Government of-the-art sensitivities for all sensor areas Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). The More than five end-user driven programme is further enhanced by leveraging demonstrations of commercial quantum support and contributions from other sources sensor applications carried out including UK universities and industries.
Four quantum technology hubs have been created within this National Quantum £1bn QT sensor market industry Technologies Programme. Each hub has a particular focus. The Quantum Technology Health monitoring £100m Hub for Sensors and Metrology, led by Game interfaces GPS replacement Professor Kai Bongs at the University of Medical diagnostics Construction Data storage products £10m Birmingham, has recently completed the Defence Naval navigation Local network timing first year of developments, as summarised Geophysics Data storage masters Gravity imaging in this document.
Laboratory Specialised Industry Consumer
demonstrations QT sensors QT sensors QT sensors Hub activity Integrated Fully Size: room Car boot backpack handheld components integrated Power: kW 100s Watt 10s Watt Watt New schemes systems beating classical 10 x better 100 x better New schemes 1000 x better counterparts than classical than classical than classical
2015 2020 2025 2030 Fundamental Superposition Composite pulses Large momentum Entanglement research Laser cooling QND detection beamsplitters QT sensor networks
Hub roadmap for developing quantum sensors that translate underpinning fundamental research to industry and end users. 8 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Research Programme
In order to deliver our vision, we need to A parallel, and equally critical, task is to seed This science has been applied in five sensor overcome the following key challenges: the market with early adopters of the new technologies where quantum superposition Gaining clarity about which applications sensor technologies. To do this, we will use the gives a lab-demonstrated improvement and methodologies from the plethora of extra leverage of investment already generated over classical sensors. In each of these five potential end users will prevail first outside this QT Hub. The timing of this means areas, the QT Hub is applying the toolkit of Overcoming the reluctance of potential that there will be early examples of emerging technologies, creating prototypes; robust, manufacturers to invest, by providing clarity QT, which will enable a much wider market to practical, demonstrators; standardised atomics, about their initial and future customer base understand the potential. In isolation, single electronics and laser components, modules and markets projects can never generate the supply chain and systems; and facilitating the birth of Facilitating investment to allow the necessary to underpin new QT. Using the a QT industry. supply companies to develop the partnership resource, we will engage with requisite components leading engineers and medical practitioners to The sensors built on these technologies can demonstrate the applications and advantages be applied in a diverse list of industries. In each of our prototypes. The added value of the Hub application there are specific challenges, is that by increasing the number and diversity with common themes of robustness, cost, of demonstrators built from common parts, accuracy, package size and enhanced component manufacturers see a broader metrological performance. market and are encouraged to join early. The five technologies are: Technology toolkit Many existing technologies (eg, microprocessors, solid-state imaging devices, Gravity lasers) are derived from quantum physics. We are now at the verge of a Quantum 2.0 Our strategy is to turn laboratory physics in revolution, where single particle control enables five sensor technologies (where quantum us to harness the more advanced aspects Magnetic superposition gives a lab-demonstrated of quantum mechanics: superposition improvement over classical sensors) into and entanglement. robust, practical prototypes and demonstrators. By working in tandem with component The Hub focuses on sensor and metrology Imaging manufacturers and systems engineers, we applications of superposition, involving are developing the standardised components, combinations of atoms, light, and matter, modules and systems needed to facilitate where quantum theory allows two classically the birth of a QT industry in five years. Since distinct and exclusive alternatives to co-exist. Clocks communication between businesses along the Our technology toolkit of atomics, laser cooling supply chain is crucial for achieving this, our and trapping methods is used to prepare hub is co-locating science with commercial atoms and ions in a well-controlled motional companies. Standardisation will incentivise state. Tailored laser or microwave pulses Rotation companies to develop smaller, lighter and are then used to create superposition cheaper components in a scalable fashion. states and recombine them after some ‘measurement time’, leading to interference in final state populations. The form of the pulses, laser geometry, and traps determines the measurement type. Separating the paths vertically, or so that they enclose an area, enables the measurement of gravity and rotation respectively. Superposing different spin, or energy, states allows magnetic fields or time to be determined. Research Programme 9
Our strategy builds on our established Supply Chain Prototyping QT knowledge exchange and device WP5: Gravity WP6: Magnetic WP7: Rotation WP8: Clocks WP9: Imaging Technologies Corner cubes Hall probes, Fibre gyroscopes Large MW clocks Shot-noise limited Current State development activities, and comprises SQUIDS, MFM of the art three strands, each split into a number WP1: Atom Atomic spin, Atomic Sagnac Portable MW Sub shot-noise Hub goals of work packages (WP): Laser/Electronics interferometer BEC interferometer and optical lattice clocks WP2: 1. Supply chain technologies (WPs1–4): D5.1 Year – 1 review Atomics Package D6.3 D7.1 D9.1 We are facilitating the formation of a Year – 2 review D7.2 commercial supply chain supporting quantum WP3: D5.2 D6.1 D8.1 D7.3 Year – 3 review Special Lasers sensor module/systems manufacturers. Our D5.3 D6.2 nanofabrication experts, laser developers and D8.2 D9.2 WP4: D6.4 Year – 4 review cold-atom specialists are working closely Systems Package D5.4 D7.4 D8.3 with The National Physical Laboratory (NPL), D5.5 D6.1-3 D7.4 D8.3 D9.2 Year – 5 review Dstl and companies such as e2v, M Squared, < 10 litre Gravity µm – cm range Compact rotary Portable Clock Quantum Light Kelvin Nanotechnologies Ltd (KNT), Chronos sensor units magnetometers sensor Source Technology Ltd and ColdQuanta towards Prototypes a paradigm change that transforms the research-level one-off parts used in current Market Building and Commercialisation via WP10 – 13 Spin-outs sensors to step-changing industry-compatible, mass-producible miniature and cost-effective Inter-relation and timeline (nonlinear, in direction of down arrows) for technology transfer between the work underpinning supply chain technologies for package groups and external users. Diamonds: examples of deliverables that will move the prototypes from new QT products (WPs1-4). These enabling WPs5–9 beyond the state-of-the-art for atomic sensors and clocks. laser, vacuum, electronics and packaging technologies are initially (years two to three) targeting the existing research market.
2. Prototyping (WPs5–9, 12): We are actively Commercial End-User Partners managing technology translation to quantum sensor module/systems manufacturers using the supply chain technologies from work Market Building WP11 – £0.5m WP10: Market Building and Networking packages 1–4 to translate proof-of-principle TRL 5 – 7 Gravity in Civil Eng. – £5.2m C. Constantinou demonstration into production prototypes. £5.7m N. Metje Crucially, the University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham Technology WP5 – £0.95m WP6 – £2.25m WP7 – £2.05m Translation and Prototyping Centres (WPs4– Gravity Magnetic Rotation 9,12) are enabling co-location of, and hence Prototyping K. Bongs P. Kruger T. Freegarde TRL 3 – 5 collaboration between, atomic sensor experts, £7.75m WP8 – £1.75m WP9 – £0.75m WP12 – £0.5m WP13 – £0.5m engineers and industrial partners. Clocks MM Imaging The Public
E. Riis V. Boyer Management and Outreach 3. Market building – enhancing the business case for quantum sensor manufacturers Supply Chain WP1 – £4.15m WP2 – £2.6m WP3 – £2.7m WP4 – £1.1m (WPs10, 11): We are engaging with leading Technologies Laser/Electronics Atomics Package Special Lasers Systems Package Supply Chain and Commercialisation Partners £10.55m D. Paul M. Fromhold J. Hastie M. Attallah engineers and medical practitioners to John and D. Paul P. Translation. Systems Engineering and Technology demonstrate the applications and advantages of our prototypes (WP10) in close collaboration with end-user partners Overview of work packages showing their groupings, technology-readiness levels (TRL) addressed and including Dstl, NPL and RSK Group. internal/external connectivity. 10 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Work package tasks and deliverables for years one and two. Left-hand dotted arrows indicate the linkage between the four work package groups. Diamonds show deliverables.
Dec 2014 June 2015 Dec 2015 June 2016 Dec 2016
Bham/Nham refurbishment work completed
Procure capital equipment (tendering done by 1/10/14) 2016 Summer School Recuit postdoctoral staff and PhD students
Co-ordinate PhD training Deliver PhD modules by Access GRID, using the Hub’s (PhD) broad doctoral training (see Case)
T1.1 Fibre laser systems D1.1
T1.2 Laser systems for atom interfermetry D1.2
T1.3 Laser systems for atom/ion trapping
T2.1 Ion chips and arrays of ion traps D2.1
T2.2 UHV chambers for sensor prototypes D2.2
T2.3 Atom chips that use new materials, architectures and production techniques to improve functionality
Supply chain technologies T2.4 Optical systems with integrated waveguides, splitters, interferometers and couplers
T3.1 Design, make and test semiconductor disk lasers D3.1
T3.2 Design, make and test fs VECSELs and microresonators
T3.3 Design, make and test frequency combs
T4.1 Inertial stabilisation systems made by additive manufacturing techniques D4.1
T4.2 3D printing of atom chip base structures D4.2
T5.1 Develop, calibrate and deliver gravity (and gradient) sensor prototypes
T6.1 Design and make mu-metal shielding T5.2 Next-generation sensors
T6.2 Design and build optics packages
T6.3 Design and fabricate microcells D6.3
T6.4 Develop SERF magnetometer and sensor arrays for NPL Prototyping
T7.1 Build laser, UHV and optics packages, test and optimise laser cooling and trapping systems D7.1
T7.2 Model, test and optimise waveguides Dotted arrows: links between WPs T7.3 Design, build and experimentally characterise Bragg pulse packages
T8.1 Design, build, test and optimise grating structures, UHV chamber, optics package and laser-cooling system
T9.1 Build and test optical systems and vapour cells and assemble into prototype squeezed-light source D9.1
T10.1 Horizon scanning
T10.2 Promotion activities
T10.3 Demonstrators
T11.1 Develop Operational Matrix for Gravity Gradient Sensor for Civil Engineering Market building T11.2 Trials with existing geophysical sensors and industry
T11.3 Field trials of gravity (and gradient) sensors for locating utilities, sink holes, minerals
T12.1 Standardisation of components, synchronisation of tasks, and industry-standard documentation across all WPs
T12.2 Scrutiny of emerging technologies to ensure compatibility, and effective communication, with industry processes
T12.3 Facilitation of business-to-business communication to ensure the formation of a strong supply chain Management T13.1 Management and outreach Quantum Technology Hub 11 12 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Research and Innovation Achievements
Deliverables
No Short description Due D1.1 Fibre laser system May 15 D1.2 …for atom interferometry November 16 D1.3 …for general laser cooling November 18 D2.1 Ion chips and arrays of ion traps for WP6 May 16 D2.2 UHV chambers for sensor prototypes November 16 D2.3 Chip platforms for WP6 and 7 November 17 D2.4 Flat integrated waveguide November 18 D3.1 1W 461nm and narrow 689 nm lasers for WP8 November 16 D3.2 Lasers for ion trapping in WP6 November 17 D3.3 Compact femtosecond comb system for WP8 May 19 D4.1 Inertial stabilisation system May 16 D4.2 3D print atom chip base structure November 16 D4.3 Topologically optimised sensor packages May 19 D5.1 Gravity gradient interferometer sensor prototype to WP11 May 16 D5.2 Calibration against Herstmonceaux November 17 D5.3 Microgal gravity sensor to NPL May 18 D5.4 Demonstration of array operation for gravitational imaging November 19 D6.1 Cold atom magnetic microscope November 17 D6.2 Ion array gradient magnetometer May 18 D6.3 Magnetic sensing microcells to NPL November 16 D6.4 Magnetic sensing array device May 19 D7.1 Mini cold atom gyroscope November 18 D7.2 Rotation sensing decision stage gate November 17 D7.3 Systems simulation November 17 D7.4 Compact rotation sensing device November 19 D8.1 Cold atom microwave clock November 17 D8.2 Optical clock with a sensitivity of <10-17 November 18 D8.3 …sensitivity of 10-16 in a robust portable version November 19 D9.1 Flexible compact sources of light November 16 D9.2 Application to optical tracking set-ups November 18 D9.3 Noiseless image amplification July 19 D11.1 Location of underground assets demonstration November 16 D11.2 Water industry demonstration November 17 D11.3 Detection of sinkholes demonstration May 19 Objectives 13
Objectives
Our overarching objective is to ensure that the Hub’s outputs will have been picked up by companies, or industry-led Innovate UK projects, by the end of the funding period. We are pursuing this objective through a systematic programme comprising the following three key elements and their sub-objectives.
Build a supply chain for quantum Build a set of quantum sensor Build the market and interlink with sensor technology and metrology prototypes researchers in academia and industry 1.1 Deliver wafer-scale processes for 2.1 Absolute gravity sensor units with <10l 3.1 Establish UK network on Quantum matchbox-sized integrated laser systems volume and <1 microgal Hz-1/2 sensitivity Sensors and their Applications (WP10). at 780 nm with frequency stabilisation and in field operation, which can be combined internal phase and amplitude modulation to form gravity gradiometer arrays with 3.2 Set up and run workshops with policy in two configurations: (i) single output shared beam common-mode rejection makers and industry as well as outreach of <100 kHz linewidth and 1W; (ii) 4-6 and a sensitivity <1 E Hz-1/2 in field events for advocacy for quantum beam output of <1MHz linewidth and operation (WP5). technologies at all levels (WP10). 100 mW each (WP1). 2.2 Magnetic sensor systems for brain 3.3 Run end-user driven, engineering-led 1.2 Develop integrated trapping technology function monitoring based on demonstration activities for the developed comprising: (i) ion chips that enable the thermal vapour microcell arrays sensors (WP10, WP11). storage and interrogation of 2D arrays with fT Hz-1/2 sensitivity (WP6). of 10x10 ions; (ii) atom chips based on The following sections provide detail on the inverse design techniques for sensors, 2.3 Magnetic noise rejection sensors objectives, deliverable and achievements in in particular also smooth ring traps (WP2). for in-field (no magnetically shielded each of the work packages. room) uses based on ion arrays with 1.3 Develop the technology to create <10pT Hz-1/2 sensitivity (WP6). self-contained vacuum chambers for atom/ion trapping, able to hold 2.4 Magnetic microscope with mm field <10-10 mbar for >five years without of view and micrometre resolution an active pump (WP2). with <10pT Hz-1/2 sensitivity and bandwidth of ~100 Hz in stroboscopic 1.4 Develop waveguide-to-cm-sized-beam operation (WP6). light couplers (WP2). 2.5 Rotation sensor with <10l physics 1.5 Develop <5l-sized special lasers for package and sensitivity 20x10-10 rad optical clock and ion trapping operations s-1 Hz-1/2 (WP7). including versions operating at: (i) 461 nm, 1W, <10M Hz linewidth; (ii) 689 nm, 2.6 Microwave atomic clock with a size 100 mW, <1 kHz linewidth (WP3). <1l and 1 in 1013 sensitivity (WP8).
1.6 Develop a <5l-femtosecond frequency 2.7 Optical atomic frequency standard in comb system suitable for coherent octave- two configurations: (i) <1000l, <1 in spanning comb generation and optical 1017 sensitivity; (ii) <10l and 1 in 1016 clock frequency transfer (WP3). sensitivity (WP8).
1.7 Deliver additive manufacturing processes 2.8 Multimode squeezed optical light source to create inertial stabilisation units, for bio-imaging and optical storage topologically optimised atom chip mounts applications with <20l size (WP9). and entire system packages (WP4). 14 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
WP1: Lasers and Electronics
Professor Douglas Paul Work package Leader for Lasers and Electronics
Douglas Paul has MA and PhD degrees from the University of Cambridge and worked in the Cavendish Laboratory with an EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship before moving to the University of Glasgow in 2007. He became the Director of the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre in 2010, a position he stepped down from in November 2015 after receiving an EPSRC Quantum Technology Fellowship. Under his directorship the Centre became part of the EPSRC III-V National Facility, the STFC Kelvin-Rutherford Facility and a strategic partner to Dstl. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, a Fellow of the Institute of Physics, a chartered physicist, a chartered engineer and a Senior Member of the IEEE. In October 2014 he was awarded the President’s Medal from the Institute of Physics for ‘his outstanding contributions to the translation of Professor Douglas Paul university physics into advanced technology’.
Professor Paul presently sits on a number of government department committees including the Cabinet Office High Impact Threats Expert Group and Scientific Expert Group for Emergencies (SAGE), and previously sat on the Defence Scientific Advisory Council (DSAC), the Home Office CBRN Scientific Advisory Committee and the Government Office of Science DTI Foresight Committees. He was the UK representative to the NATO CBP Science Panel between 2004 and 2008. He was one of the editors for the first Technology Roadmap on European Nanoelectronics, a significant part of which is now in the ITRS Roadmap Future Emerging Technology section and gave evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee panel on ‘Chips for Everything’. He is presently involved in writing a new technology roadmap for the EC on ‘Sustainable ICT’ as part of the ICT Energy network.
His research interests include nanofabrication, quantum technology, optoelectronics, energy harvesting and sensors. In the UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology he is leading WP1, aiming to deliver compact integrated laser systems for the portable cold atom systems. He is also responsible for developing a UK supply chain for the technology as part of WP12. Work Package 1: Lasers and Electronics 15
The Lasers and Electronics work package i) GaAs DFB lasers have been delivering The aim for Year two is to achieve DFB has the aim of delivering a set of DFB laser 780.24 nm with >25 mW of output per lasers at 780.24 nm with up to 100 mW diodes for Rb cold atom systems to allow single facet. Higher power is achieved output powers and less than 500 kHz a wide range of applications to be pursued. when facet coatings and integrated SOA linewidth with power and control electronics. The initial aim is to deliver DFB lasers with are implemented. Commercial packaging solutions are also being linewidths below 1 MHz to allow the cooling ii) The DFB lasers are being produced at the developed to enable complete integrated laser of the atoms with later developments and wafer scale and initial sampling indicates systems that can ‘plug and play’ into cold atom optimisation aimed to increase the output a high yield. Test devices have been sent systems. The aim is also to provide multiple powers while simultaneously reducing the to Strathclyde University for evaluation in laser wavelengths from a single chip to reduce linewidths to 100k Hz or less. Electronics for cold atom systems. the overall volume of a complete system. both current supply and control of the lasers iii) A new etch stop has been developed Multiple approaches are being taken to is also being developed first at the pcb level, to improve the yield and manufacturability achieve this goal. before miniaturisation and integration will be of the DFB lasers. undertaken where possible. The initial lasers iv) Lasers at 780.24 nm have now been will be supplied to partners for testing while produced from commercial wafers optimised systems will be fully integrated demonstrating the first steps in a UK supply and packaged.
Etched grating
James Watt Nanofabrication Centre, University of Glasgow 16 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
WP1 Case Study
Distributed feedback diode lasers for wavelength. Once selected, the temperature and Sheffield universities in addition cold atom systems and current supplied to the device allows to commercially by IQE in Cardiff. At present the majority of commercial lasers the output wavelength to be tuned over a Kelvin Nanotechnology Ltd is working being used in cold atom systems are Ti:Sa few nm. Therefore the final devices require with Glasgow on translating devices into or external cavity lasers which are large, an external feedback mechanism to tune industry, Optocap has been undertaking expensive and require significant power. and lock the output wavelength to the the packaging and M Squared Lasers has The University of Glasgow is undertaking correct 780.24 nm required for Rb cold been involved in the laser system design work to produce distributed feedback (DFB) atom systems. The final devices will be fibre and the electronics. The clear aim is to have diode lasers of only a few mm in length coupled in a standard telecoms butterfly UK companies manufacturing DFB lasers to that could provide a platform technology to package (Figure 3) which will include all the power all the Rb cold atom systems being replace all the large laser systems presently optical isolators and Peltier cooler control used for atomic clocks, rotational sensors, in use for Rb atoms. systems to enable the devices to be used magnetometers and gravimeters that are in complete cold atom systems. Integrated being investigated in the UK Quantum The key part of the DFB laser is the grating laser devices are presently being developed Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology. (Figure 1), which provides optical feedback to replace the standard three or four laser to the laser and only allows a single optical systems with a single butterfly package with For further information contact mode to propagate with the gain required all the required output down a single fibre. Professor Douglas Paul for lasing (Figure 2). ([email protected]). This work in the James Watt Nanofabrication While the design and choice of the epitaxial Centre at the University of Glasgow is also material defines a wide range of wavelengths being translated into a number of companies for operation, the DFB grating requires to provide a UK supply chain. The epitaxial nanometre precision to achieve the correct material has been provided by Glasgow
Figure 1 Figure 3
Figure 2 QuantumWork Package Technology 2: Atomics Hub 17
WP2: Atomics
Professor Mark Fromhold Work package Leader for Atomics
Mark Fromhold is Director of Research for the School of Physics and Astronomy at The University of Nottingham. He graduated in Physics from the University of Durham in 1986 and was awarded his PhD from The University of Nottingham in 1990 for studies of quantum electronic devices. Following postdoctoral research at the University of Warwick on heat and charge transport in MOSFET transistors, Professor Fromhold was appointed Senior Medical Physicist at Lincoln County Hospital, where he worked on the development and clinical application of brain mapping and electrophysiology. From 1995 to 2000 he held an EPSRC Advanced Research Fellowship, focusing on the quantum properties of semiconductor nanostructures and ultra-cold atoms – including how to integrate them in hybrid quantum systems. During this time he held visiting positions at the University of New South Wales and at the National Research Council Canada. Professor Fromhold was appointed Lecturer in Physics Professor Mark Fromhold at The University of Nottingham in 2000, with promotion to Reader in 2002 and Professor in 2004.
Building on his research at the interface between solid-state and ultra-cold atom physics, he led the £9 million 2006 EPSRC/ HEFCE Science and Innovation Award to establish the Midlands Ultracold Atom Research Centre (MUARC). This joint venture between the universities of Birmingham and Nottingham provides an interdisciplinary environment for cold atom-based quantum science and technologies.
Professor Fromhold’s research interests include the development and integration of electronic, cold atom and optical systems as components for quantum sensors. Working with Dstl and the National Physical Laboratory, and exploiting results from previous EPSRC and Innovate UK projects, he is presently investigating the use of advanced materials and quantum electronics in next-generation atom chips for cold atom sensors.
With e2v, he is developing atom traps for scalable manufacture as a platform for quantum sensor technologies. 18 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
The Atomics package is developing supply Design, molecular beam epitaxial growth The immediate plans for this work package are chain technologies in the form of components and AFM/optical characterisation of to complete the procurement and installation and sub-systems, which combine to create the III-V semiconductor layer structures as a of capital items required to successfully deliver necessary environment for the trapping, cooling platform for integrated optical components the supply chain components required by and transport of ions, cold atoms and Bose operating at 780 nm. Simulations of the the prototyping work packages and the UK Einstein condensates. This requires the design device enclosures and thermal behaviour National Quantum Technologies Programme and development of a range of components have been undertaken to enable commercial as a whole. This includes commissioning a and sub-systems: packaging of them by a UK company. mask aligner and ion beam miller to enable the Sources of the ions or atoms that will Nottingham Rapid Prototyping Centre to make be trapped next-generation atom/ion chip and integrated Vacuum chambers, which contain the atoms optical components. A key deliverable for the and ions in a low-noise environment next stage of the work package activity is to Devices that produce the magnetic or complete the design, computer modelling, electric fields required to trap, cool and and initial fabrication of the ion chips and move the atoms or ions arrays of ion traps required for the WP6 Optical interfaces that will direct and control magnetic sensor prototyping activities. We will laser beams for trapping and measuring the also continue to develop the millilitre vacuum atoms or ions chambers and vacuum cells required to house the electrical, atomic and optical components The work package involves combining of the sensor prototypes. these components into a single assembly, or integrated atom/ion source, which can To support the operation of the Hub as a whole, be used by the prototyping work packages we will undertake component-level systems to develop sensor-specific production engineering activities including more detailed AFM image of a GaAs/(AlGa)As wafer for integrated prototype technologies. optical components (Drs Richard Campion, Jessica analysis of the magnetic field and interface Maclean, Chris Mellor) requirements of the atom trapping structures. Atomics package components, sub-systems In addition to promoting the standardisation and associated assemblies, such as compact of components and specifications for the full atom chips, will facilitate the formation of a Development of multiphysics simulation range of sensor prototypes, this approach will commercial supply chain supporting quantum software, design, fabrication and testing also assist with the drafting of component and sensor module and systems manufacturers. of magneto-optical traps and atom chips, sub-system level documentation – as required This will, in turn, support a move away from the spanning a range of geometries, scales, to promote the sharing of ideas and capabilities production of one-off bespoke components, materials and operating regimes as throughout the UK National Quantum for use in research environments, towards required by the prototyping work packages. Technologies Programme. These are essential industry-compatible, mass-producible This work has involved close collaboration elements of rapid and effective technology components for new QT products. with industry partners and government transfer. Based on the results of our integrated laboratories. IP disclosure and evaluation programme of design, theory and modelling, Creation and operation of the Nottingham for further IP development is currently fabrication and component assembly, we will Rapid Prototyping Centre. This 100m2 underway. plan the work package activities for Years 3–5 facility enables the co-location and fast of the Hub’s technology development. turnaround iteration of: the fabrication and assembly of atom/ion traps and integrated optics; the integration of the components into the UHV chambers; testing the operation of these assemblies for the trapping and controlled manipulation of ultra-cold atoms and ions. The e2v Cold Atom Laboratory has been set up to enable industry assessment of cold atom vacuum chambers. Design, fabrication and testing of UHV vacuum chambers spanning the millilitre Electromagnetic field pattern of a laser beam splitter to microlitre volumes and including the simulated using Optiwave software (courtesy of Drs Jessica Maclean and Mark Greenaway) integration of multiple feedthroughs. This has drawn on project partner e2v’s long- standing expertise and infrastructure for UHV development. Systems engineering Design and multiphysics simulation of multi- analysis of these UHV chambers has rail ion traps to increase greatly the number informed the design and specification of of trapped ions and permit local and global associated magnetic trapping structures. micromotion control of them. Work Package 2: Atomics 19
WP2 Case Study
Spotlight on miniaturised Translating ultra-cold atom and ion applications Microlitre vacuum chambers are being vacuum systems from the laboratory into the end-user communities microfabricated from structured silicon and Ultra-cold atoms and ions are a unique and therefore requires a new approach for developing glass plates, reducing the chamber to the versatile resource for quantum technology. and maintaining ultra-high vacuums in which smallest practical scale and allowing This is due to the intrinsically quantum- size, weight and power become key engineering multiple ‘vacuum cells’ to be placed on mechanical nature of their interactions with requirements. The UK Quantum Technology a wafer. These cells are hermetically electromagnetic radiation. Such interactions Hub for Sensors and Metrology is following two sealed and include only passive-pumping lead to some of the purest quantum effects avenues of technology development in this area. thin-film getters. ever observed, including Bose-Einstein condensation of ultra-cold atoms and entanglement. Isolating the atoms and ions from their noisy ‘classical’ environment requires trapping them at the centre of an ultra-high vacuum chamber. This ensures minimal interaction between the trapped particles and their environment, and prevents atomic quantum wavefunctions from collapsing to a classical state (decoherence). Clear separation between the environment and the ultra-cold atoms also avoids the need for cryogenic cooling systems. Figure 1. Molybdenum vacuum chamber with Figure 2. Schematic of silicon wafer vacuum Standard vacuum systems – stainless two optical viewports manufactured by e2v, chamber with optical window and quarter steel chambers, viewports and pumps – Chelmsford (courtesy of Dr Paul John) waveplate (courtesy of Dr Matt Himsworth) are bulky, typically with internal dimensions on the scale of tens of centimetres, Millilitre vacuum chambers. These are They do not require any power to remain and consume hundreds of watts of power formed of titanium chambers and brazed evacuated for several years and are thus to maintain the extremely low internal optical viewports. The chambers are evacuated ideally suited for use in atom chips and as pressures required. However, most present and permanently sealed. After that, they use part of a chip-based integrated magneto- experiments and emerging technological a small ion pump to maintain the vacuum. optical trap (MOT). The integrated MOT applications for ultra-cold atoms and will include vapour control elements, ions only require vacuum environments The choice of materials and proper vacuum integrated optics and electrical feedthroughs of order cubic cm. Consequently, processing ensures minimal outgassing to power the atom chip. The small miniaturisation of vacuum systems is an from the chamber surfaces, and thus only a dimensions of the vacuum cell reduce power essential pathway to mature quantum small ion pump is required to maintain a high requirements for magnetic trapping and bias technologies, reducing power requirements, vacuum. Brazing optical viewports avoids fields and can be powered from a single- decreasing production resources and the issues of mechanically sealed flanges, cell battery. A spin-off application for this supporting the miniaturisation of larger allowing large optical access areas with research includes room temperature vapour quantum sensor systems. minimal sealing. These chambers are being cells for chip-scale atomic clocks. This developed by e2v, building on their decades research is being pioneered by the University of know-how on vacuum valve and RF of Southampton. amplifier technology. 20 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
WP3: Special Lasers
Dr Jennifer Hastie Work package Leader for Special Lasers Management Board Member, Research Team Leader, Institute of Photonics, University of Strathclyde
Jennifer Hastie joined Strathclyde’s Institute of Photonics as a PhD student in 2000. In 2004, she was awarded a five-year research fellowship by the Royal Academy of Engineering to develop visible and ultraviolet semiconductor disk lasers for applications in biophotonics. Since 2012, she has led the Institute’s research on semiconductor disk lasers and jointly led the lasers research theme. She is a senior member of the Optical Society of America and the IEEE, and in 2011 was appointed a member of the Young Academy of Scotland.
Dr Jennifer Hastie Dr Hastie currently holds an EPSRC Challenging Engineering Award on wavelength flexible yet narrow linewidth semiconductor disk lasers for applications including metrology and lithography. This work led directly to a fruitful collaboration with Hub Director Professor Kai Bongs of the University of Birmingham to develop lasers for optical clocks, and hence led on to her involvement in the Hub.
The current project for Dr Hastie and her team within the Hub programme is to develop narrow linewidth lasers in the blue and red spectral region that are suitable for inclusion within a strontium optical clock. This involves engineering lasers to work at very specific wavelengths that are not trivial to obtain, and then using sophisticated electronics to lock the laser output such that it drives specific transitions within the strontium atoms. Dr Hastie also leads the wider Hub work package that is charged with delivering these red and blue lasers plus a tailored optical frequency comb system. This frequency comb project is a collaboration between the universities of Southampton (Professor Anne Tropper) and Sussex (Dr Alessia Pasquazi and Dr Marco Peccianti).
Dr Hastie’s work on semiconductor disk lasers for quantum technology contributed to a recent Innovate UK award led by M Squared Lasers Ltd in collaboration with Strathclyde and the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP). Work Package 3: Special Lasers 21
Aims: Experimental study of the resonator Strathclyde’s work on red semiconductor The aim of this work package is to provide parameters (Sussex) disk lasers for Sr cooling will aim to: lasers for selected quantum sensor systems, • new set of 50 GHz microcavity samples Improve mechanical stability to reduce where the required specification lies outside have been designed and fabricated linewidth to around 1 kHz WP1. These lasers will use optically pumped • free space nonlinear quadratic cavities Undertake further cooling experiments VECSEL technology, which for some have been designed and built at the University of Birmingham applications is displacing high-power solid- • linear characterisation of state laser systems due to its compactness, microcavity completed The universities of Sussex and Southampton’s robustness, low noise and spectral flexibility. Installing the phase diagnostic for the development of a femtosecond frequency micro-combs (Sussex) comb will: We are developing compact 1-W intracavity- • preliminary diagnostic with interferometric Experimentally study the resonator doubled blue sources and narrow linewidth setup for the comb working parameters and test free space quadratic red sources for the Sr atomic clock systems • CW laser purchased cavities of WP8 (D3.1, D3.3–3.7), building on the Testing of micro-comb phase diagnostic Install the phase diagnostic for the micro- pioneering VECSEL work of the University of using existing 200 GHz laser (Sussex) combs and test the full diagnostic (using Strathclyde. We aim further to develop the first • special amplifiers purchased CW lasers) portable femtosecond frequency comb (D3.2, • laser built with standard amplifiers ready Test micro-comb phase diagnostic/ 3.8, 3.9), based on the micro-ring resonator for stabilisation 200 GHz laser expertise of the University of Sussex and • 200 GHz resonators and 50 GHz • stabilise the laser using new amplifiers powered by the ultrafast VECSEL technology resonators have been tested • coherence study of microcomb laser introduced by the University of Southampton. New characterisation facility for laser against diagnostics gain and SESAM chips (Southampton) Measure phase evolution of VECSEL An analysis of the market for these sources will • experimental determination of gain and micro-comb inform the eventual transfer of the technology to linear absorption spectra • coherence study of VECSEL laser against commercialisation partners such as M Squared • absolute precision is better than 0.1% phase diagnostic Lasers and ColdQuanta. The Fraunhofer CAP • tunable narrow-band titanium Build and characterise dual grating pulse will facilitate this process. sapphire laser compressor/stretcher FROG measurement (Southampton) • measure SESAM saturation as a function Key results to date: • shows cubic phase variation in of pulse duration The University of Strathclyde’s testing of <200 fs pulse • measure nonlinear lensing as a function existing blue semiconductor disk laser • oral presentation given at VECSELs VI, of pulse duration structures for laser cooling of Sr is underway. Photonics West 2016 by Dr Robin Head Build a model for numerical simulation New structures have been designed and Nonlinear characterisation of VECSEL chips of mode-locking growth is underway for imminent delivery. (Sussex and Southampton) • assess feasibility of accessing 100 fs • collaboration: Southampton accessing regime with existing structures Strathclyde’s development of a red Sussex Chameleon/OPO system • estimate greatest accessible pulse energy semiconductor disk laser for laser cooling • first spectral determination of SESAM at shortest durations of Sr has achieved over 100 mW at a relative saturation fluence Source laser chips linewidth of less than 5 kHz at 689 nm. This • first spectral determination of gain chip • assess specification for chips for laser has been implemented in an initial cooling nonlinear lensing increased pulse peak power experiment at the University of Birmingham. • oral presentation at VECSELs VI, • explore additional avenues for chip Photonics West 2016 by PGR Ed Shaw procurement The University of Southampton’s portable fs VECSEL with sub-ps pulse duration has Plans for 2016 been constructed on breadboard with a cavity The University of Strathclyde’s work on blue volume of less than 5 litres. The pulse duration semiconductor disk lasers for Sr cooling will is 250 fs and the average power is greater than aim to: 100 mW. Improve mechanical stability and narrow linewidth further to around 1 kHz The universities of Sussex and Southampton Undertake further cooling experiments have achieved the following key results in at the University of Birmingham their steps towards the development of a Demonstrate high power operation at 922 nm femtosecond frequency comb: Frequency double to 461 nm Target: >1 W with a linewidth < 10 MHz 22 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Work Package 3: Special Lasers 23
WP3 Case Study
Towards a portable frequency comb semiconductor laser; [Soton: Nat. Phot. 3, new broadband laser gain chip design One ambitious object of the UK Quantum 729 (2009); Opt. Exp. 21 1599 (2013)], and shown schematically in Figure 1, based Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology demonstration of the world’s first micro-ring on four quantum-well pairs combined with is to make strides towards realising the first- femtosecond combs [Sussex: Nat. Commun. a single-layer dielectric Al2O3 overlay for ever portable frequency comb. The principle 3, 756, 2011, Patent US 20130156051 A1]. dispersion management. of the frequency comb was introduced and demonstrated by Ted Hänsch, who won the A particular challenge that we face is to Capital investment from the Hub had 2006 Nobel Prize for Physics as a result. achieve consistent, stable, reproducible enabled Robin to make an experimental performance from our femtosecond measurement of the exceptionally broad His work made it possible for the first time to semiconductor lasers: the optical pulse- gain bandwidth, over 50 nm, exhibited by this count optical frequencies directly, conferring forming processes are sensitive to tiny chip: the spectral gain profiles are shown in a measurement precision that could be 1 variations in thickness of the multilayer Figure 2 for various values of incident pump part in 1,015 or better. When combined with surface-emitting semiconductor structures, power. Robin was able to report a new cold atom clocks and sensors, frequency and the active areas are exposed to peak-power record for a sub 200 fs pulse combs offer formidable measurement extreme optical fluences. Robin Head, the VECSEL based on this chip: the intensity capability. The combs in use to date, QT Hub Fellow working on these lasers autocorrelation and optical spectrum of however, are very far from portable. They at Southampton, is a researcher who has the pulse train are shown in Figures 3a are based on femtosecond mode-locked thought extensively about these issues. In the and 3b, respectively. solid-state lasers, with optical cavities many year before the start of the Hub, Robin was tens of centimetres long, together with bulky employed as an EPSRC-funded Knowledge The QT Hub offers Robin the opportunity counting and stabilisation electronics. Transfer Secondment Fellow with M Squared to continue interacting with engineers at Lasers of Glasgow, on a project that aimed M Squared Lasers, as industry partners Our plan of attack in the Special Lasers ‘to bridge the gap between the performance with deep knowledge of the external cavity work package is to develop a femtosecond of the highly selected and tweaked lasers sources (VECSELs) featured in the Special mode-locked semiconductor laser emitting demonstrated in a university laboratory, Lasers work package. M Squared has, optical pulses that are so short, intense and and the performance that can be realised moreover, pioneered the commercialisation clean that they can drive the generation of a in an industrial innovation laboratory from of ultrafast VECSELs, gaining a unique coherent comb of optical frequency modes devices that must meet stringent standards viewpoint on the challenges involved. in a micro-ring resonator. The semiconductor of lifetime, robustness and yield’. With The Hub in its turn can now offer M laser can work with a cavity of an order capital investment from the Hub, Robin has Squared Lasers access to the suite of chip of magnitude smaller than its solid-state been able to set up a comprehensive suite characterisation techniques that Robin has counterpart: the micro-ring resonator has of characterisation tools, enabling him to developed. VECSELs have already displaced a tiny footprint compared to the reel of track the optical signature of small chip-to- solid-state green sources as low-noise photonic crystal fibre in which a conventional chip structure variations that affect ultrafast pump lasers: it remains to be seen comb is generated. performance significantly. whether they will be equally disruptive in the ultrafast domain. The experience that we bring to this task In February this year, Robin presented the includes achievement of world records first findings enabled by these tools, at the With the array of resources assembled for the shortest pulse duration and Photonics West VECSELs VI conference in one year into the QT Hub programme, greatest peak power observed from any San Francisco. In his talk he described the the prospects look interesting.
Figure 1. Schematic of surface-emitting gain chip design with 8 InGaAs/ GaAs quantum wells 24 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Figure 2. Measured gain chip reflectivity Figure 3a. Intensity autocorrelation Figure 3b. Optical spectrum of versus wavelength for incident pump powers of optical pulse train with fit to 193 fs pulse train from 0 to 30 W hyperbolic secant profile Work PackageQuantum 4: Systems Technology Packaging Hub 25
WP4: Systems Packaging
Professor Moataz Attallah Work package Leader for Systems Packaging, and Leader of the Advanced Materials Processing Lab (AMPLAB) at the IRC in Materials Processing, School of Metallurgy and Materials, University of Birmingham
Moataz Attallah is a Professor of advanced materials processing. He received his PhD in Metallurgy and Materials from the University of Birmingham in the field of friction joining of aluminium alloys in 2007. He performed his postdoctoral research at the University of Manchester, until his appointment as a lecturer of advanced materials processing at the University of Birmingham in 2010.
His research portfolio over the past 15 years has been focused on studying the advanced manufacturing technologies, specifically metal 3D printing technologies, friction-based welding and powder Professor Moataz Attallah processing. His research is performed in close collaboration with a large number of industrial end users in the aerospace, defence, nuclear and general engineering sectors. He leads the 35-researcher strong Advanced Materials and Processing Group (AMPLab) at the University of Birmingham.
AMPLab is based within the School of Metallurgy and Materials, and it is set up with manufacturing-scale facilities for additive manufacturing, powder processing, heat treatment and laser processing, which enables the rapid maturation of the technology within an academic setting. AMPLab’s research has received a number of awards from the UK Ministry of Defence and Safran Group (France) on the development of a processing route using metal 3D printing for high temperature aero-engine components.
26 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Packaging the entire sensor currently requires The largest selective laser melting a substantial manufacturing effort with additive manufacturing machine in the significant compromises owing to machinability. UK, and the first with four lasers (SLM To overcome these limitations, we bring 500 HL) has been purchased, installed together advanced manufacturing expertise and commissioned at the University from the national EPSRC Centre for Innovative of Birmingham, providing facilities to Manufacturing in Additive Manufacturing manufacture components of up to (University of Nottingham) and the 500x280x325 mm, with improved Interdisciplinary Research Centre for Materials parameters for processing of Al, Ti, Processing (University of Birmingham). We Ni and Fe will use appropriate manufacturing techniques Simpleware® software for topology to service the needs of the prototyping work optimisation has been purchased, and is packages and demonstrators, including available for redesigning structures to make ‘My expertise is in the growth of group III- delivering inertial stabilisation systems (D4.1, full use of the flexibility of additive layer nitrides by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). M18, Birmingham), 3D printed atom-chip base manufacturing techniques I have recently installed at Nottingham a structures (D4.2, M24, Nottingham) designed Process optimisation and characterisation new high-temperature MBE system for using Nottingham’s MRI expertise in inverse of additive manufacturing of Invar36 the growth of graphene and BN layers. methods, and topologically optimised sensor (FeNi36), which has a low coefficient The standard dual GENxplor has been packages including magnetic shields (D4.3, of thermal expansion (CTE), has been specially modified by Veeco to achieve M54, Birmingham). completed, investigating effects of growth temperatures of up to 1,850°C in processing parameters on microstructure, high vacuum conditions and is capable of In this project, Professor Attallah and Dr porosity, CTE and mechanical properties growth on substrates of up to three inches Youssef Gaber are aiming at expanding the Trials to create in-situ alloys of Al-Si in diameter. In the QT Hub I am supervising use of metal 3D printing beyond the traditionally have been completed, allowing the activities on the MBE growth of graphene used materials, into functional materials creation of structures with tailored CTEs, layers, as part of the Systems Package.’ that can be employed within the quantum without relying on a supply of specific alloys metrology field. This includes materials with low The use of additive manufactured Professor Sergei Novikov, coefficient of thermal explansion (Invar36) and Permalloy-80 (Ni-5Mo-15Fe) for magnetic The University of Nottingham high magnetic permeability alloys (permalloy). shielding is under investigation. The effects Future work will focus on using the advanced of processing parameters on magnetic process optimisation and geometrical permeability, coercivity, uniformity and (topology) optimisation tools to maximise the mechanical properties before and after heat benefit from additive manufacturing in terms treatment are being assessed, so that the of the functionality of the structures, creating optimum manufacturing conditions can lighter structures with improved functionality. be identified An inertial stabilisation system has been designed, prototyped and programmed for use with gravity sensors. This uses three actuators for levelling, based on input on acceleration, gyroscope, magnetometer, humidity and barometer
SLM 500 HL Laser Work Package 4: Systems Packaging 27
WP4 Case Study
3D printing of magnetic shielding the selective laser melting (SLM) technique. housings Each sample was fabricated under different One of the main goals of the Quantum Hub SLM parameters in the printing process, is to develop portable sensors based on cold which are known to have different effects atoms for applications in gravity gradiometry, on the material’s microstructure and time keeping and magnetometry, and so therefore on its magnetic properties [1]. forth. However, factors like temperature A characteristic measure of magnetic shield variations, accelerations and external performance is the amplitude ratio of the magnetic fields impose a significant magnetic field outside the shield, over the challenge to sensor stability and residual field measured inside the shield, performance. The focus of this project is known as shielding factor S(=Bout/Bin). Figure 1(a) and 1(b). Two different types of cylindrical shield samples were produced by SLM. to explore the potential of exploiting a 3D Results of shielding measurements on the One has open ends and one has closed ends printing technique in the fabrication of produced cylindrical shells are shown in providing one-side access for magnetic sensor. magnetic shielding housings for quantum Figure 2. The shielding factor was measured sensor applications. along the cylinder axis under different amplitudes of applied external field. External magnetic fields can affect the atoms significantly, either on their internal energy The results showed maximum shielding levels or their trajectory via Zeeman shifts factor values close to 14 for the open and dipole moment interactions, respectively. cylinder prototype and around 25 for the For this reason, magnetic shielding on the closed cylinder. However, the optimum sensor’s measurement region is of high SLM parameters were not defined yet importance. Traditionally, this is achieved by at that stage and no annealing or other shells/housings made of a high permeability treatment was performed on the samples. magnetic material known as mu-metal. Furthermore, apart from the material Mu-metal is the name of the Fe-Ni based properties, the shielding factor is also family of materials demonstrating high a function of the shell’s geometrical relative magnetic permeabilities, typically proportions which were not close to of the order of r~106. the optimum for the initial test samples.
Although it is impossible to block/remove a Magnetic characterisation of the 17 small present magnetic field, a high permeability samples on vibrating sample magnetometer material can provide an easier path for (VSM) indicated permeability values (r) close the incoming magnetic flux and divert to 10, for the best samples. it away from the region to be shielded. However, these materials are manufactured The next step is to heat treat the produced in basic geometries due to difficulties in samples under high hydrostatic pressure their treatment. As our focus is on the and repeat the previous measurements. development of miniaturised mobile quantum The expected result is an increase in Figure 2. Shielding factor along cylinder axis sensors, the possibility of using a quick magnetic permeability due to the relief of for a sample with (above) open ends and and flexible technique to 3D print compact the internal stresses among the material’s (below) closed ends under different external magnetic shields which could adapt to magnetic domains created during fabrication field amplitudes, respectively. complex sensor geometries, and allow for and the decrease of porosity. Once the easy integration, is of great interest. optimum process parameters are defined, Ref. [1] Zhang, Baicheng, et al. ‘Studies of a final shield prototype will be produced magnetic properties of permalloy (Fe–30% Initially, 17 small cylindrical test samples and and tested as a proof of principle of Ni) prepared by SLM technology.’ Journal six cylindrical shells (see Figure 1) this technique for future mobile quantum- of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials 324.4 were produced from permalloy by using sensor applications. (2012): 495–500. 28 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
WP5: Gravity Sensing
Professor Kai Bongs Work package Leader for Gravity Sensing Principal Investigator, Hub Director and Head of Quantum Matter, the University of Birmingham
Professor Bongs’ long-standing interest in precision measurements was sparked by his diploma work on laser interferometers for gravitational wave detection in the group of Professor Karsten Danzmann at the Leibniz University of Hannover. After obtaining his diploma in 1995, he moved to do a PhD in atom optics under the supervision of Professor Wolfgang Ertmer at the same institution, earning his degree in 1999. He spent two years with Mark Kasevich at Yale University, starting work on mobile atom interferometers for gravity gradient detection. Moving to Hamburg University he obtained a habilitation in 2006 and the right to lecture as Privatdozent in 2007, working in the fields of quantum gas mixtures and Bose-Einstein condensation in microgravity. In 2007 he was appointed chair in Professor Kai Bongs Cold Atoms at the University of Birmingham, where he is leading the Quantum Matter group. He is the Director of the UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology, where he is also leading WP5 on gravity sensors.
His research interests are in the manipulation of cold atoms with light for quantum simulation and quantum sensors. He is fascinated by the use of ultra-precise quantum sensors for both fundamental physics in the understanding of the interface between general relativity and quantum mechanics as well as real-world applications in gravity sensing ranging from civil engineering, oil and mineral exploration to navigation, climate and ground water data.
His goal in the UK NQT Hub in Sensors and Metrology is to push the boundaries of precision gravity measurement with robust user- friendly devices. With his team and team leader Mike Holynski, he is developing demonstrators enabling a novel way of seeing into the ground, with the potential to revolutionise how we see our world, develop and maintain underground space and use its natural resources.
The importance of this work is recognised by over 40 Hub partner companies interested in harnessing benefits from gravity sensors for their business.
Work Package 5: Gravity Sensing 29
The goal of our work package is to translate Demonstrating applications of quantum Key achievements to date quantum technology-based gravity sensors gravity sensing Establishment of the Technology Transfer out of the laboratory, and into commercially Of prime importance to our work package is Centre and relocation into the new space relevant applications. To achieve this, our not only creating working sensors, but also Measurements of gravity and commissioning work focuses on two key strands: enabling getting them out and proving that they will of technology test-bed the development of supply-chain technologies benefit end users. This means developing Completion of cold atom demonstrator and demonstrating applications in relevant sensors that are not only highly sensitive, but prototypes environments. These two linked activities both are also robust enough to be used in the real Implementation of our next generation of strive to increase the technology readiness of environments of interest. To achieve this we lasers, control and physics systems our sensors, translating them into commercial are currently developing our next generation of Numerous cold atom demonstration devices such that they can deliver benefits to demonstrators without our gravimeter prototype activities to a range of audiences a range of markets. aiming at sensitivities of 1ng/√Hz and our Strong industry engagement through gradiometer prototype aiming at 1E/√Hz, project work, enabled through Innovate Enabling the supply chain currently using sensor head packages having UK and Dstl Although our demonstrators are already a footprint Ø15 cm by 50 cm, a weight of 12 kg Publication, commentary: Nature Physics beginning to leave the laboratory, many of the and power consumption of less than 50 W. 11, 615–617 (2015) applications of our devices will require further Our first prototypes are already leaving the increases in portability and robustness. For laboratory, informing the implementation of our Next stage of work example, when moving from the geophysics next-generation systems and demonstrating The next period will be an exciting time within to the civil engineering sector there is a cold atom technology both across the UK and our work package, with a keen focus on stronger focus on working in more challenging overseas. In the coming months we will be engagement and field demonstrations. In the environments and long-term goals; thus many taking our first quantum sensors into the field. TTC, we will be focusing on building further applications would benefit from hand-held collaborations with partners and engaging systems that can be operated without with them on projects. In particular, with our specialist expertise. gravimeter technology test-bed operational, we are ready for collaborators to bring their To push towards these benefits, we have devices in for validation and to facilitate rapid a strong focus on enabling the supply chain iterations in development and validation. development of the Hub. Key to this is the Meanwhile, we will be working with Work
Technology Transfer Centre (TTC), a new Signal (mV) Package 11 to take our sensors out of the facility which allows our partners from across laboratory for field demonstrations starting in the Hub, both in academia and industry, to co- May 2016 – working alongside civil engineers locate with our team in work spaces dedicated to benchmark the performance of our systems to each of the key supply chain technologies. Phase (wave) in applications. This will see a focus on This provides exceptional opportunities our gradiometer systems targeting drastic for knowledge transfer, but also creates improvements in resilience versus environment interdisciplinary solutions to issues that reside noise – thus demonstrating benefits over between science and technology. The TTC existing technology for applications in is supported by our two test-bed gravimeter challenging conditions. systems, which are used for validating new technologies and techniques as they become available. This allows rapid iterations between Signal (mV) development and validation, accelerating the process of bringing new technologies Atom interferometry to fruition. The atmosphere and capabilities fringes from our provided by the TTC will then provide an Phase (wave) technology test-bed environment in which quantum technology gravimeter can flourish, speeding it towards where it needs to be – delivering benefits in real-world applications.
The Technology Transfer Centre, now home to both the management and Work Package 5 science teams 30 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
WP5 Case Study
Taking cold atoms out of the laboratory Our first attempt at taking a cold atom system out of the laboratory took place in September 2013, when a small team worked tirelessly to create the coldest place in Lithuania for the ICT2013 conference. Over the last year Royal Society, London things have progressed greatly, with us completing a further 19 successful cold atom demonstrations outside Birmingham between February 2015 and April 2016. This started with us taking our iSense gravimeter to Brussels, demonstrating portable atom interferometry outside the Glasgow laboratory, and progressed into the prototype Edinburgh for our next-generation gravity sensor.
The year has seen our systems progress from a van-full of equipment set up by a few Loughborough people, to something that a single person can simply place in their car boot – or even Birmingham into hold luggage on a commercial plane Milton Keynes – and have running within 15 minutes of Oxford London arriving. These strides in portability have been UK Parliament, Westminster achieved through our focus on compacting Porton Down Windsor and increasing the robustness of the various Brussels components of the system. For example, the laser system has migrated from three lasers taking up upwards of 60 litres, to a single hub laser occupying roughly the same space as a 19” laptop. This is not only more portable, but the use of telecordia grade components has drastically improved the robustness and stability. Meanwhile, the core physics package has shrunk to just a few litres and has been made much more resilient against misalignment and environmental factors such as temperature fluctuations. EU Parliament, Brussels
These demonstrations allow us to actually show the technology, fascinating schoolchildren, informing policy makers and engaging with industry. Seeing the technology running in person helps people to directly connect, showing them that quantum technology is something of real relevance – rather than something remote or decades away. Lisbon
However, using these technologies outside the laboratory also continuously informs the process of improving our sensor systems, showing us what needs to be improved for further gains in portability and performance. Although it has been an exciting year, we believe the next will be even better – with our ICT2015, Lisbon Gravimeter demonstrations sensors scheduled for experimental operation February 2015–April 2016 outside the laboratory from May 2016 onward. Work PackageQuantum 6: Magnetic Technology Sensors Hub 31
WP6: Magnetic Sensors
Professor Peter Krüger Work package Leader for Magnetic Sensors Chair of Cold Atom Physics and Quantum Optics at The University of Nottingham
Professor Peter Krüger has studied at the Free University of Berlin, the University of Innsbruck and the University of Heidelberg, and was a Marie Curie fellow at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris. He has undertaken pioneering work on the development of atom chips, integrated devices analogous to the ubiquitous electronic microchip, allowing the creation and study of atomic quantum gases.
He is the scientific leader of the Midlands Ultracold Atom Research Centre and the UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology at Nottingham. His research focuses on the microscopic control and manipulation of ultra-cold atomic gases with optical and magnetic fields. His current interests continue to span fields Professor Peter Krüger ranging from fundamental physics questions to translational applied technology. He continues to develop key contributions to the understanding of complex quantum systems, including thermalisation in one-dimensional, and phase transitions in two- dimensional systems.
He has introduced several schemes to facilitate technology development for coherent atom-optical devices, including waveguides, beam splitters and interferometers, as well as compact cold atom sources integrating photonic, electronic and atomic components.
Beyond these ongoing activities, current quantum sensor work includes optical magnetometry, magnetic microscopy based on his invention of a cold atom microscope, and accelerometers (gravity and rotation sensors). Professor Krüger’s work has been published in a wide range of topical and interdisciplinary journals, has received 4,000 citations and he has received awards from the Humboldt Foundation and the European Union.
32 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Work Package 6 is developing precise Benchmarking tests of optically pumped magnetic sensors that operate from micron magnetometers in biomagnetic imaging: levels of fidelity to macroscopic scales. As a straightforward magneto-cardiogram; prototyping work package, the WP continues at least six-fold enhanced signal in to drive technology translation to mature magneto-encephalogram in direct SQUID- quantum sensor module/systems via proof- based commercial MEG comparison of-principle demonstration and subsequent development into production prototypes. The team will continue to develop its understanding of cold atom cloud behaviour in The work package is developing a cold atom close proximity to surfaces. Objectives include magnetic microscope for 1D-imaging on mm- demonstration of cold atom cloud transport scales with micron resolution and stroboscopic to within micron scale distances (currently in analysis of dynamic processes as well as an the region of ten microns) to various surface ion array gradient magnetometer device for material samples. This will improve insight into mm-cm scale with noise suppression. Further and allow characterisation of cloud–surface investigation is seeking to develop applications interaction. Demonstration and characterisation of the cold atom microscope in the functional of this interaction is a key requirement of the imaging and characterisation of electronic cold atom magnetic microscopy activity. devices and materials. Additional research will be pursued into the use of thermal atom cells as potential replacements The work package is also investigating the for SQUIDS in magneto encephalography development of cm-scale magnetic sensing (MEG). The team will seek to demonstrate using thermal atoms in microcells. This thermal atom cell sensitivity of better than activity is being undertaken with NPL, with six nano Tesla, and develop an experimental the objective of a joint development into an optically pumped magnetometer array to allow array device. The use of thermal microcells as initial MEG characterisation activity. a potential replacement for SQUIDS in MEG systems is being developed at The University Other activities will include near-surface of Nottingham (Sir Peter Mansfield Magnetic imaging using a range of different wavelength Resonance Centre, Brookes/Bowtell), working lasers, further development (in collaboration with Hub partner Romalis at Princeton and the with WP2) of components for integrated atom University of Birmingham School of Psychology. chips and the continuing development of ion trap arrays. The results achieved to date are: Microscope infrastructure in place (>108 atom Rb gases at 20 microK routinely produced) Multi-layer printed-circuit board for near-surface atom cooling and transport to multiple sample regions designed, produced by Hughes Circuits (California-based company) and tested for UHV compatibility First set of samples prepared for microscopy: free-standing graphene (Rutgers University collaboration), silicon carbide substrate graphene wire-structures (Chalmers/NPL), nano-structured silicon nitride membranes (10nm thickness, IBM collaboration) PCB and sample integration and successful production of cold gases in mm-vicinity Ion trap array chips fabricated for ion-based magnetometry Thermal cells made and magnetometry tests achieving a sensitivity of nT/root(Hz) Work Package 6: Magnetic Sensors 33
WP6 Case Study
Work Package 6: Ion array magnetometer In parallel with this, the team is working One of the key activities of WP6 is creation on the design of a portable magnetometer, of an ion array-based demonstrator device working towards miniaturising lasers, capable of measuring magnetic fields optics and electronics and the vacuum and magnetic field gradients with noise system. Recent successes include the suppression. Following on from this, design of an rf-resonator and atomic the team will seek to develop a portable ovens for the portable system. The team magnetometer device. To achieve this, continues to work in collaboration with e2v the Ion Quantum Technology Group at the and is making good progress towards a University of Sussex, headed by Professor miniaturised UHV system design for use in Winfried Hensinger, is undertaking the portable device. experiments towards this goal. For example, they work on increasing the coherence time Novel, as well as improved, medical (T2) of a particular quantum state in trapped applications are also feasible. Microwave ions, as well as increasing the sensitivity of sensing with trapped ions could contribute possible devices by developing systems that towards superior breast cancer detection, allow the trapping of increased numbers while trapped ion magnetometers designed of ions. with ultra-high resolution and sensitivity will have applications in multiple medical Initial efforts have succeeded in diagnostic systems where radio and demonstrating raised T2 times of 0.65 microwave radiation is used for sensing seconds, while the design of a 200 ion trap and imaging, for example in microwave chip array has been completed. The new tomography (MWT). chip design uses a multi-rail design, as shown below in Figure 1, and offers the The team has also begun identifying potential for B-field gradient measurements uses of the magnetometer for national with approximately 400µm resolution. security applications. A UHV demonstration system has also been designed, with procurement of components for the demonstration device underway.
Figure 1. Portable vacuum system design in collaboration with e2v 34 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
WP7: Rotation Sensors
Dr Tim Freegarde Work package Leader for Rotation Sensors Senior Lecturer, University of Southampton
Dr Freegarde studied at New College, Oxford and received his DPhil from the University’s laser group. Following a couple of years in industry, he returned to academia under Professor Ted Hänsch at the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, and then, with a brief stop at the European Lab for Nonlinear Optics (LENS), he moved to Oxford’s Physical and Theoretical Chemistry Lab. After two years at the University of Trento, and a short spell at Imperial College, he joined the University of Southampton in 2003. He is the author of ‘Introduction to the Physics of Waves’, published by CUP in 2012.
His group’s research explores the use of optical forces for the mechanical manipulation of atoms, particles and microstructures. It has invented a number of schemes for the cooling and trapping Dr Tim Freegarde of atomic and other species including time-of-arrival trapping, the metastable optical pumping trap, cavity-enhanced dipole traps, mirror-mediated cooling, amplified cooling and momentum- state algorithmic cooling. The exploitation of velocity-dependent interactions between light and atoms has also led to the proposal of a momentum-state quantum computer; and combinations of such interactions are at the heart of most atom interferometric inertial sensors. The group has also explored the application of composite pulse techniques and adiabatic passage to improve the fidelity of atom interferometer operations.
The group’s experimental and theoretical research includes a wide range of instrument and device development from control electronics to optical and laser instruments and stabilisation. Work Package 7: Rotation Sensors 35
The overall goal of this work package is to A comparison of the different approaches, Testing: develop the technology for a compact rotation methods and technologies is planned for month Roughness of optical ring potential sensor with high sensitivity, based on the 36 of the project. In collaboration with Dstl using different holographic intrinsic interferometric sensitivity enhancement we will use an industry-compatible systems techniques (Strathclyde) of matter-waves compared to laser light. simulation based on our optical interferometry High-fidelity atomic beam simulation programme to aid this decision. splitters (Strathclyde) As there is no clear optimum solution for a From then on the members will develop the Gyroscope two-state readout portable rotation sensor of such a type, the first selected technology, guided by the outcomes protocol (Nottingham) objective is to develop different technological of work packages 1–4, into a compact device methods. At the end of the first objective stage with a targeted rotation sensitivity of 20×10−10 Development: the benefits and costs of each approach will be rad s−1 Hz−1/2. Fast atom source for grating compared for the development of an optimised MOT (Strathclyde) strategy to implement and engineer a As the later objective of the work package Enhanced contrast of fringe practical solution. is dependent upon the first-stage objectives, readout (Strathclyde) all the key results to date have been in Interferometer transport protocols (Sussex) The methodological approaches are markedly preparation for D7.1. Atom chip fabrication tolerances (Sussex) different. A first implementation uses free-falling Atom chip ring trap design atoms to measure rotation, for which a range Apparatus built: (Nottingham, Sussex) of proof-of-principle experiments have been Permanent magnet test ring trap demonstrated in the past. We are developing (Nottingham) In keeping with the outlined objectives, the next new interferometer pulse techniques for robust stage of work will involve testing the proof- operation and will use these to demonstrate a Publications: of-principle free space rotation sensor. At the miniature cold-atom gyroscope with 100 rad Atom interferometric cooling: PRL 115, same time we will begin loading into ring traps s-1 Hz-1/2 sub-MEMS sensitivity. Due to the free 073004 (2015) (Southampton) and dressing the trap potentials with radio fall of atoms, the achievable sensitivity of this Sagnac interferometer: PRL 115, 163001 frequency radiation. Building upon the optical method will be limited by apparatus size. (2015) (Nottingham) roughness measurements, we will also start Holographic atomic waveguides: NJP 18, combining holographic waveguides with atom Therefore, we are pursuing other approaches 025007 (2016) (Strathclyde) sources. The first generation of miniature atom to use guided atoms confined to a ring Inductively guided atom guides: chip rotation sensor designs will be developed, structure where free propagation is reduced Nature Comm. 5, 5289 (2014) including the fabrication and initial testing to a circular path. Free propagation can even (Sussex and Strathclyde) of microwave chips to operate inductively be removed altogether and be reduced to coupled ring traps. transportation, leading to a solution that is operated like an atomic clock. Investigations concerning the optimum design of confining potentials are currently progressing. Chip- based, micro-structured electromagnets and magnetic thin films are under investigation, together with the design, modelling and manufacturing of required radiofrequency and microwave circuitry. The results from these studies will inform the fabrication of radio- frequency and microwave-dressed magnetic traps. Since electro-magnetic solutions always require leads that break the optimal axial symmetry, inductively coupled ring traps are investigated, using advanced microfabrication techniques. In a complementary manner, one could replace the magnetic confinement of the previous approaches with an optical potential. PhD Student Tadas Pyragius aligns a laser frequency doubling cavity; the light from which The use of diffractive optical components to will be used to investigate methods to produce more precise interferometers which work produce atomic ring guides is thus a further beyond the standard quantum limit. option under investigation. These optical traps should be smooth and free from background light. 36 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
WP7 Case Study
A clock-based interferometer for rotation Conventional atomic techniques, which use Any rotation of the ring during the transport sensing. Department of Physics and free-falling atoms, require large apparatuses time results in a phase difference which is Astronomy, The University of Nottingham. as the sensitivity depends upon how far read out at the end of the sequence. The accurate measurement of rotation has the atoms are allowed to fall before they important effects on inertial navigation, are measured. To circumvent this problem This approach offers a high degree of control geodesy, seismology and geophysics. researchers are looking towards ring-shaped over the motion of the trapped atoms, Modern gyroscopes rely upon the Sagnac traps and guided interferometers, which have a feature which conventional approaches effect which describes the rotation-induced yet to demonstrate high sensitivity. do not offer. It also avoids the use of phase shift between two paths of an optical fields, which demand interferometric interferometer. Conventionally this shift is In Figure 1 we show a state-dependent stabilities, thus helping to reduce the measured using a laser gyroscope. By using potential produced using a combination of experimental complexity. massive particles instead of light, much magnetic fields and radio frequency fields Using this technique an atomic Sagnac higher sensitivities are theoretically possible that will allow us to operate an interferometer interferometer can be implemented with due to the higher rest mass energy of without any free propagation. fully confined atoms, at finite temperature, particles compared to the photonic energy. enabling new designs of compact devices. Atomic interferometers based on the Sagnac This particular implementation is operated in We envision that by building ring traps with effect have demonstrated record sensitivities a similar fashion to an atomic clock. Atoms permanent magnets, together with the low- below 10−9 rad s-1/2, outperforming in two internal spin states are confined in volume vacuum chambers being developed commercial navigation sensors by orders separate traps that move around the ring in at the University of Southampton, we will of magnitude. A fundamental challenge opposite directions, see Figure 2. Half way be able to produce a new generation of to commercialising atomic gyroscopes, around the ring the populations in each state miniaturised, precise gyroscopes. however, is the development of miniaturised are inverted before completing the revolution and integrated atom optical setups. all the way back to the start position.
1 2 3
4 5 6
Figure 1. Combined radio frequency and Figure 2. Experimental sequence for a rotation measurement using trapped cold atoms in a magnetic magnetic potential for one atomic spin ring potential. Atoms are initialised in a superposition of internal spin states and guided around a ring state. Red indicates the deepest part of potential. After one revolution the atoms acquire a rotation-dependent phase which is converted into the potential. a population difference and read out.
Publication: Sagnac Interferometry with a Single Atomic Clock. R Stevenson, MR Hush, T Bishop, I Lesanovsky and T Fernholz. Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 163001 (2015) QuantumWork Package Technology 8: Clocks Hub 37
WP8: Clocks
Professor Erling Riis Work package Leader for Clocks Professor and Head of Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde
Erling Riis completed his PhD on laser spectroscopy of atoms with particular applications to fundamental studies of the foundations of Physics in 1988 from the University of Aarhus. After that he joined the group of Steven Chu at Stanford University to work on some of the pioneering experiments on laser cooled atoms. In 1991 he moved to the University of Strathclyde to set up the cold atom activity there. He is currently work package leader for Clocks within the UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology and works with a team of younger researchers on the development of cold atom and quantum gas based measurement techniques.
His research interests are primarily in precision measurements Professor Erling Riis with atoms and with a strong element of technology development including laser sources. Most notably, this was demonstrated through the development of a single-frequency Ti:Sapphire laser that was subsequently successfully commercialised and is now used worldwide by many groups, in quantum optics in general and cold atom research in particular.
More recently, his core research interest has turned to the use of coherent matter waves in interferometry and, in particular, in guided wave configurations. In parallel with this, a programme has been developed seeking to explore practical (low size, weight and power) realisations of measurements on the ground and in space based on atomic systems. A specific aspect of this work is the development of the microfabricated optical grating enabling compact and virtually alignment-free setups for trapping and laser cooling of atoms. This breakthrough is at the core of the vision behind the Strathclyde Quantum Technology Hub activity of creating miniaturised systems enabling the realisation of compact and portable measurement devices based on laser cooled atoms.
An integral part of the miniaturisation of cold atom setups is the development of compact conventional technology, including vacuum and laser systems. The Strathclyde team works closely with academic colleagues at Glasgow University and NPL as well as with industrial partners including KNT, M Squared and TMD. 38 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
The ability to measure time accurately has 10-17 are expected for laboratory-based NPL (funded by Dstl: DSTLX-1000094114) always been at the core of human civilisation. systems that will contribute to a future UK Coherent population trapping signal It has evolved from the ancient observation of definition of time, while portable systems are observed in hollow-core fibre (HCF) the sun and other celestial objects through being developed with an accuracy at the 10-16 microwave clock mechanical objects, that solved the ‘longitude level. These ultimate accuracies are afforded FPGA frequency stabilisation control loop problem’, and the ubiquitous quartz oscillator by the use of the combination of an optical for HCF clock to the present standard based on the ground- transition and the long observation times Design of a compact clock laser package state hyperfine transition in atomic caesium. enabled by holding the atoms in a light field comprising: (i) an ultra-stable optical cavity carefully chosen not to perturb the system based on NPL’s patented force- This sequence demonstrates the essential clock transition. insensitive cubic cavity; (ii) a compact elements of the drive to developing ever more diode-based laser system at the clock sub- accurate clocks even to this day: the need to Key results: harmonic with second harmonic generation observe many unperturbed oscillations and the Strathclyde (SHG) to 698 nm for clock interrogation ability to make many identical oscillators. The Design and manufacture of optical gratings Modelling of the clock laser package and its identical oscillators are now atoms that are Optical characterisation of gratings projected performance barely interacting with their environment, or at Characterisation of gratings with respect least interact in such a way that the effect on to atom number and temperature Next steps: the frequency can be tuned to zero. The need Design and assembly of vacuum system Commissioning of new vacuum for to increase the number of observed oscillations for test setup test setup has been achieved on the one hand by Design and assembly of portable cold Demonstration of Raman-Ramsey signal increasing the observation time through laser atom system from laser cooled atoms cooling of the atoms and on the other by the Design and assembly of optical system Characterisation of system stability ongoing drive to increase the frequency to for laser cooling and trapping Measurement of atom number and lifetime the optical range. Design and assembly for optical system of the blue MOT for Raman transitions used for coherent Realisation of red MOT in a portable lattice The current caesium frequency standard is population trapping clock setup now based on a dilute sample of laser cooled Excitation of microwave clock transition Transfer of red MOT into an optical lattice atoms in the free fall of a parabolic trajectory. in cold atoms using coherent at 813 nm This is a large (scale length: about one metre) population trapping Transfer of the setup to NPL and complex piece of equipment reaching an Realisation of a miniaturised clock laser accuracy of around 10-16. The atomic clocks Birmingham stabilised to a force-insensitive cavity for the work package will deliver a miniaturised atom Design and realisation of a portable portable clock setup clock, where atoms are laser cooled to a few demonstrator for the optical lattice clock Characterisation and analysis tens of µK using our microfabricated grating Laser cooling and trapping of millions of Hollow-core fibre clock demonstrator technology and interrogated while in free flight. Sr atoms achieved in the demonstrator The rapid cycling enabled by short interrogation Single beam blue MOT achieved resulting times will provide cm-scaled portable devices in more compactness, mechanical and with an accuracy around 10-13. polarisation stability Direct capture of Sr atoms from the backing In parallel with this work at Strathclyde, the without the need of Zeeman Slower or Birmingham team is developing clocks based 2D MOT on optical transitions. Accuracies exceeding Work Package 8: Clocks 39
WP8 Case Study
Grating chips for quantum technologies beam configuration, of three binary gratings This and other microfabricated gratings Paul F Griffin, Aidan S Arnold and Erling prepared by electron-beam lithography and (Figure 2) have simplified the optical setup Riis, Department of Physics, University of etched into a silicon wafer. Each grating is of a cold atom-based measurement Strathclyde etched to a depth of a quarter of the laser device. The vacuum systems used are wavelength of 780 nm to eliminate 0th order still laboratory-type setups, but there The development of powerful techniques diffraction from the grating and the period is commercial interest in extending the for laser cooling of atomic samples has is chosen less than twice the wavelength to technology known from vacuum valves to resulted in profound advances in atomic ensure only first order diffractions as shown create compact vacuum cells with built-in physics in general and frequency metrology in Figure 1c. The first orders diffracted away miniaturised pumps. Similarly, progress is in particular. However, the technology is from the line of symmetry in the centre are underway integrating the laser systems typically complex and bulky, thus generally not used. Gratings manufactured in this way required by extending the technology known limiting its applicability to the research are coated with a reflecting metallic coating from telecommunications sources. laboratories. Central to the Strathclyde cold and are observed to preserve the purity of atom activities in the Quantum Technology the circular polarisation to a high degree. Hub for Sensors and Metrology is the use of microfabricated optical elements that enable The starting point for our cold atom the miniaturisation of the core element, experiments is a small glass vacuum the magneto-optic trap (MOT). This drive cell containing a low background towards cold atoms on a chip holds the vapour pressure of rubidium atoms. tantalising promise of enabling the realisation The microfabricated grating chip is placed of portable measurement devices based on outside the vacuum and as shown in Figure laser cooled atoms combining an accuracy 1d, a cloud of laser cooled and trapped vastly exceeding that of equivalent room- atoms is then observed by imaging from the temperature technology with small size, side. The atom numbers upwards of 108 weight and power consumption. have been demonstrated depending on the particular grating design and consistent with Figure 1. a) A magneto-optic trap formed by Laser cooling of atoms relies on the viscous the performance of the conventional six- four circularly polarised beams in the centre of a quadru-pole magnetic field; b) Electron damping of the atomic motion provided beam MOT. Similarly, temperatures in the few microscope image of microfabricated grating used by the momentum transfer from absorbed tens of µK have been observed. in realising the beam configuration shown in a); photons propagating in the opposite c) An incoming beam perpendicular to the grating direction from the atoms. The use of The sample of laser cooled atoms can now is split in two diffracted orders. Only one is used in this configuration; d) Image of a cloud of trapped circularly polarised light and the addition of be used as a starting point for precision atoms. The bright stripes are scatter from grating a quadrupole magnetic field further provide measurements on the atomic sample. In the and vacuum cell. a restoring force towards the magnetic first instance we are seeking to demonstrate field minimum and hence realise a trap for a miniaturised atomic clock by exciting the atoms. This is conventionally achieved by six rubidium ground-state hyperfine splitting beams forming three orthogonal standing using two laser frequencies separated by waves and requires a significant amount this frequency difference. This interrogation of optics and effort to align. The crucial of the atoms will take place after they have Publications: CC Nshii, M Vangeleyn, JP steps in miniaturisation of the MOT are the been trapped, cooled and released in free Cotter, PF Griffin, EA Hinds, CN Ironside, realisation that four beams in a tetrahedral fall and hence minimally perturbed by the P See, AG Sinclair, E Riis and AS Arnold, 8, 321 (2013). configuration as shown in Figure 1a provide environment. Before the atoms leave the Nature Nanotech JP McGilligan, PF Griffin, E Riis and AS the equivalent damping and restoring forces cross-over region of the trapping beams Arnold, Opt. Express 23, 8948 (2015). and that this beam configuration can be they are captured again and the cycle achieved by reflecting a single incoming repeats. Realistic estimates of this process Acknowledgements: This work was beam off a suitably designed optical element. suggests an atomic clock performance in supported by EPSRC under the Quantum This element – a hologram – shown in Figure the 10-13 range, exceeding the best current Technology Programme, The Royal Society 1b consists, in the case of the tetrahedral commercial devices. of Edinburgh, ESA and Dstl. 40 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
‘My involvement in the Hub’s clock ‘A military commander’s concerns are work package continues to be an “where am I, what surrounds me, what is enlightening and gratifying experience. changing?” so precise timing underpins Miniaturised atomic clocks are one of the critical activities including communications, quantum technologies that are closest surveillance, navigation and weapons to implementation, and I am particularly systems. The UK is rich in world-leading enthused by how the Hub has united quantum physics groups but to find different institutions with a collective vision excellence allied to engineering ingenuity for commercial devices. The interaction is rare. It has been an education and a between researchers is great for progress, privilege to be associated with Kai Bongs’ Figure 2. Optical diffraction but it also greatly increases my enjoyment research group as emerging physics is gratings of different designs in the work. This spirit of collaboration translated into cutting-edge, miniaturised have been demonstrated using and collective vision fits perfectly with our cold atom systems. Miniature atomic clocks semiconductor microfabrication ethos at NPL’s recently launched Quantum will be revolutionary in all walks of life and technology. The image shows Measurement Institute, where we provide an early success in the National Programme the illumination of a grating the facilities and expertise for validating – transformative in their effects with major producing four diffracted the devices which will emerge from the UK economic benefit.’ orders and hence suitable hub work.’ for a five-beam MOT. Image courtesy of NPL. Ross Williams, National Physical Laboratory. Stephen Till, Dstl. Work PackageQuantum 9: Quantum Technology Imaging Hub 41
WP9: Quantum Imaging
Dr Vincent Boyer Work package Leader for Quantum Imaging Midlands Ultracold Atom Research Centre, University of Birmingham
Vincent Boyer began his scientific life as a laser cooler and trapper. He completed his PhD in 2000 at the University of Orsay, France, on the development of a novel kind of magnetic trapping of ultracold atoms based on soft-iron-core electromagnets. He then moved to the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), Maryland USA, in the group of Physics Nobel laureate William Phillips, where he worked on the demonstration of advanced laser cooling techniques for the space atomic clock programme (SPARC). In 2002 he joined the cold atom group in Oxford to study many-body effects in ultracold atoms and develop manipulation of ultracold atoms in dynamic optical tweezers. In 2005 he went back to NIST to start afresh and contributed to the renewal of the use of nonlinear atomic Dr Vincent Boyer processes for the creation of non-classical states of light. He joined the University of Birmingham in 2009 as a lecturer and a member of the Midlands Ultracold Atom Research Centre.
His research interests span laser cooling techniques, atom interferometry and quantum optics. In recent years, he has helped to establish the atom-based quantum sensor programme at Birmingham, and has carried on developing quantum manipulation of light with hot atomic vapours, following the realisation that the technique allows for the spatial control of the quantum fluctuations of light. The latter is the basis of the quantum imaging strand of the QT Hub for Sensors and Metrology, which he leads and which aims to harness quantum spatial control to improve a number of imaging techniques. More fundamentally, Dr Boyer is also interested in combining his expertise in both cold atoms and quantum optics to further develop the quantum control of light at the single photon level. This is achieved by coupling light guided in photonic crystal waveguides with cold atoms in so-called hybrid devices.
42 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Work Package 9 aims to develop quantum imaging as a technique of choice for those imaging applications where the image quality or the optical resolution can be limited by the quantum fluctuations of traditional light sources. To this effect, we are developing flexible and compact quantum sources of light usable on quantum demonstrators. The key feature of these light sources is a reduction of the fundamental quantum fluctuations due to the decomposition of light in discrete photons. These light sources will be applied to imaging problems where the current state- of-the-art has demonstrated the need for suppressing the quantum noise in order to improve performance. These include optical tracking setups, eg, multiple particle tracking in optical tweezers for biological manipulation, and noiseless image amplification in weak coherent imaging, such as can be encountered in LADAR systems.
Key results and progress Basic setup for the generation of beams of light displaying common quantum intensity fluctuation The work is based on four-wave mixing in hot atomic vapours, as described in previous research by Vincent Boyer [patent Simultaneously, we are extending the number US 7453626 B2]. of detection schemes which are compatible Entanglement between a pair of beams has with the use of quantum light. Previous results been demonstrated in the past [Science were obtained by performing continuous 321, 544 (2008)]. This means that the measurements of the intensity of light with quantum noises on these beams are simple photodiodes. We recognise however correlated and can be rejected in common that a number of applications, for instance mode setups, where one beam acts biological imaging, rely on the acquisition as a reference for the other beam. of snapshot images. We are studying In the framework of the Hub, we have how sensitive cameras can help us take demonstrated the generation of a single advantage of quantum light. In this context, beam with reduced quantum fluctuations reduced fluctuations are the result of a spatial throughout its transverse profile. It is an reorganisation of the photons inside the light. important step towards the demonstration This produces smoother images, where the of the capabilities of quantum illumination quantum roughness has been ‘ironed out’. for the production of clearer images. We have produced the design of a compact source of quantum light for easy transportation to demonstration sites.
Current efforts and next stage We are currently assembling the first generation of the quantum light source. In its first incarnation, it will produce a pair of quantum-correlated beams of light. As these beams will share spatial quantum fluctuations, a property known as entanglement, one beam will be used as reference while the other beam will be used as a probe for imaging. This will effectively result in imaging with reduced quantum fluctuations (ie, noise floor below the shot noise). Work Package 9: Quantum Imaging 43
WP9 Case Study
A locally squeezed light source for thought of as if photons could interact by a homodyne detector. This is a 50/50 quantum imaging with each other. In the particular case of beamsplitter which combines the signal This article presents the fundamental four-wave mixing, where four beams of light beam and a bright reference beam (the local physics underpinning the quantum imaging intersect and interact, the nonlinear process oscillator), and a balanced photodetector work package, and the experiments which corresponds to pairs of photons from two (Figure 2). The local oscillator amplifies demonstrate it. beams (the pumps) colliding and emerging the signal to the point that even the into two other beams (signal and idler, or quantum fluctuations (the shot noise) are When measured with sensitive detectors, probe and conjugate depending on the measurable. As shown in Figure 2(a), the light reveals fundamental fluctuations which context), depicted in Figure 1. local oscillator must match the optical mode are the result of it being made of discrete of the beam which is squeezed for the best photons. The fluctuations appear on the so- The resulting probe and conjugate beams measurement to be made. The creation of called quadratures, which can be assimilated have quantum fluctuations which are a locally squeezed beam was shown for the to the phase and the amplitude of the light correlated at the single photon level. The first time [2] as a beam displaying reduced in the case of a bright beam. These quantum recent experimental breakthrough that has quantum fluctuations for any position of fluctuations ultimately limit the precision of let us envision the application of squeezing the local oscillator, that is to say for any devices based on optical measurements. to imaging applications has been to engineer observed sub-part of the beam (Figure 2(b)). Although they cannot be fully eliminated, a nonlinear medium, based on an atomic Experimentally, up to 75 independent regions quantum fluctuations of light can be shifted vapour, that has a nonlinearity large enough were shown to be squeezed by about 50% from one quadrature, eg, the amplitude, to that the production of correlated photons below the quantum noise limit. the other one, eg, the phase. This optical can occur without the aid of an optical cavity. ‘squeezing’ corresponds to the quantum This means that the probe and conjugate The realisation of local squeezing lets us noise of one of the quadrature being smaller photons, although correlated in position envision imaging scenarios where the than the noise found on a classical source and direction of travel, are not constrained illumination of the object under observation of light, where the distribution of photons is to travel in a fixed direction. The result is a has reduced amplitude fluctuations at random. This reference noise, the quantum pair of probe and conjugate beams that are any point in space and therefore leads to noise limit or shot noise, is found for instance quantum correlated locally point per point, images with less graininess at the quantum in standard lasers. Depending on the type of forming so-called entangled images [1]. level. More tantalising, in super-resolution measurement one desires to perform it can The locality of the correlations is crucial for schemes where the resolution is limited by be advantageous to squeeze one of the imaging applications. the quantum noise, which is the case when other quadratures. all sources of technical noise have been The final step is to combine the locally suppressed, the use of squeezed illumination The theory and implementation of squeezing correlated probe and conjugate beams into will also lead to increased optical resolution dates back to the 80s and relies on the a single beam which has locally reduced beyond the quantum noise limit. nonlinear interaction between light and quantum fluctuations. The measurement a medium. The resulting process can be of these fluctuations can be performed
Figure 1. Four-wave mixing interaction in a Figure 2. Homodyne detection. (a) When the signal nonlinear medium, where photons from a pair beam is simply squeezed, the local oscillator (LO) of pump beams ‘collide’ and produce pairs of must match its mode. (b) When the signal beam is photons correlated in their position of origin locally squeezed, reduced quantum fluctuations are 1. V Boyer et al, Science 321, 544 (2008) and anti-correlated in their direction of travel, recorded for all positions of the local oscillator, that 2. CS Embray et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. X 5, according to the conservation of momentum. is to say for all sub-parts of the signal beam. 031004 (2015) 44 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
WP10: Market Building and Networking
Professor Costas Constantinou Work package Leader for Market Building and Networking, Senior Lecturer in Communications Engineering, University of Birmingham
Professor Constantinou obtained his PhD on the path-integral analysis of passive, graded-index waveguides applicable to integrated optics from the University of Birmingham in 1991. Starting with his PhD and continuing to this day, he has been carrying out interdisciplinary research at the interface between physics and electrical engineering in optics, electrodynamics, the congestion dynamics of complex internet networks and now quantum technologies.
Professor Constantinou has held positions of Lecturer in Communications Engineering at the University of Birmingham, Senior Lecturer and Reader. Since 1991 he has developed a number of distinct strands of research activity, focusing on the application of Professor Costas Constantinou classical electrodynamics, quantum mechanics, statistical physics and game theory to communications engineering. Notable successes have been the application of electrodynamics to deterministic radiowave propagation prediction, the co-invention of tuneable, efficient, multi- port electrically small antennas and the modelling of the congestion dynamics of the internet.
The breadth of his contributions spans topics such as electromagnetic theory, electromagnetic scattering and diffraction, electromagnetic measurement, antennas, radiowave propagation modelling, adaptive communication network architectures and the modelling of very large scale internet networks.
Professor Constantinou’s track record of impactful work with industry started in the early 1990s when he worked with DRA Malvern (QinetiQ’s predecessor) to develop the basis of the MoD’s short- range battlefield radio propagation prediction model. In the late 1990s he became a founding member of the BT Virtual University Research Initiative (VURI) on Mobility together with the Universities of Oxford and Bristol, King’s College London and UMIST. The BT VURI undertook the fundamental research on cellular radio capacity increase methods which informed BT policies, and ultimately became a significant part of the UK contribution to the 3G mobile telephony standardisation process. During the 2000s his research on network routing led to patent applications on adaptive network routing and network vulnerability analysis and to a spin-off company, Prolego Technologies Ltd. The network vulnerability analysis software tool he helped develop was subsequently used by the US Airforce.
Professor Constantinou is a co-investigator on the QT Hub for Sensors and Metrology, leading WP10, the Work Package on Market Building and Networking, which is at the core of the Hub’s technology transfer strategy.
Work Package10: Market Building and Networking 45
This work package aims to create a UK-wide As the key deliverables of WP10 are built around network for quantum sensors and metrology, the demonstrators which will be the outputs of fostering dialogue between scientists, WP5–9, the initial activities are centred on an engineers, industry and end users. exploration of industrial interest in QT sensors.
This aim is to be achieved based on a two- Initial progress includes engaging with industry fold strategy: at events, in private conversation and through The engagement of commercial end users funded collaborations; winning additional (engineers, medical practitioners, etc) funding from the European Commission, the The demonstration of the applications and European Space Agency, the University of advantages of prototype sensors Birmingham, the EPSRC Follow-On Fund, The University of Nottingham, Defence Science Professor Constantinou, University of Birmingham. Demonstrators are to be developed and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Innovate in collaboration with industry and the UK; and encouraging early applications demonstration activities will be co-located for partnership funding for end-user driven in the Hub Technology Transfer Centre. demonstration activities.
Specifically, the work package tasks are to: For example, the University of Birmingham Identify and promote novel quantum sensor hosted a cross-hub aviation industry workshop developments from outside the Hub which allowed members of the aviation Promote quantum sensors and their industry to start to explore their interest in the potential to users many opportunities presented by quantum Identify and promote demonstration technologies, including rotation sensing. activities in which quantum sensors prove Similarly, the priorities and challenges of the their potential to improve the operation industry were explored, influencing the direction and business of users of the technology development.
Professor Kai Bongs, University of Birmingham Photo credit: Alex Lister 46 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
WP10 Case Study
Market building for quantum sensors. field generated by the neuronal currents Healthcare: New generation related to brain activity. The field distribution magnetoencephalography (MEG) – the is measured via an array of sensitive case for quantum magnetometers for magnetometers arranged around the surface diagnosing early stage dementia of the skull; the location of the source, as well as the temporally resolved current distribution, Market analysis is then reconstructed. Among other Dementia may overwhelm both health and neuroimaging techniques, MEG stands out social care services globally as the world with its combination of localisation accuracy population grows and longevity increases. in the sub-centimetre range and high temporal It is estimated that 47 million people are resolution on the order of milliseconds. currently living with dementia with a doubling in the number expected every 20 years. The case for quantum technology Worldwide there are over 10 million cases Current MEG systems are dependent on of dementia each year, with an estimated magnetometers, called superconducting cost of over €700 billion. Most people living quantum interference devices (SQUIDS), with dementia have not received a formal which must be constrained in a dewar diagnosis, yet the World Alzheimer Report helmet filled with liquid helium, making it 2015 suggests that early diagnosis and virtually impossible to achieve affordability An affordable QT sensor intervention are the means necessary to and portability. As a further limitation, the close the existing gap in treatment. sensors must be positioned as close as to be worn outside clinical possible to the head (magnetic fields decay environments can become a Current diagnosis and the role with distance) to detect weak signals arising of technology from brain activity. Current MEG technology reality within five years, at an The current state of diagnosis for dementia requires measurements to be conducted in estimated cost of approximately takes various forms, often commencing an expensive, magnetically shielded room in £30k for a GP version. with a self-report of loss of memory. order to reduce interference from the Earth’s Physicians will typically take a patient magnetic field. Thus, MEG technology Given that there are more than history, conduct a physical examination is severely constrained in realising its 10,000 GP practices in the and a series of psychological tests. A brain full potential as a tool in basic cognitive scan in the form of a CT, MRI, SPECT or neuroscience and as a technology capable UK, there is a market potential PET may be performed additionally. Brain of translation into a practical clinical tool for of £300 million in the UK scans are expensive, potentially dangerous debilitating brain disorders. and cannot be conducted outside a clinical alone and potentially several setting. Treatment following a diagnosis of The QT Hub is working with leading £billion worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) almost invariably producers of MEG equipment and its own involves a drug prescription, which cannot supply chain to develop the next generation cure AD or any other form of dementia of atomic magnetic field sensors. These and can only slow its progression. Early, will be instrumental in re-engineering MEG but effective, diagnosis will potentially devices to accelerate dramatic advances enable pharmaceutical companies to create in basic and translational cognitive effective drug regimens prior to irreversible neuroscience for the diagnosis of debilitating brain cell loss. brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, making such devices compact, Detecting neural signatures affordable and migrating these from the The healthy human brain functions as an hospital to the surgery, or even to the home, integrated unit or ‘network’, connecting all will enable large-scale investigations into regions together virtually instantaneously healthy ageing in non-clinical populations. to perform complex cognitive activities Moreover, such technological advances such as memory. MEG has tremendous will enable MEG to be combined with potential as a technology to interrogate an affordable brain stimulation device to the brain’s communication networks as it potentially enable restoration of the deficient directly detects, in real time, the magnetic brain networks. Work Package 11: GravityQuantum in CivilTechnology Engineering Hub 47
WP11: Gravity in Civil Engineering
Dr Nicole Metje Work package Leader for Gravity in Civil Engineering, Deputy Director for Sensors of the National Buried Infrastructure Facility, Reader in Infrastructure Monitoring, the University of Birmingham
Dr Metje obtained her PhD from the University of Birmingham in 2001. She then worked on projects focusing on the development of optical fibre sensors for tunnel displacement monitoring at Birmingham, where she became a lecturer in 2007 and a senior lecturer in 2010. She is currently leading the Power and Infrastructure Research Group in the School of Engineering and is a Deputy Director for Sensors of the National Buried Infrastructure Facility to be built at Birmingham as part of the UK Collaboratorium for Research in Infrastructure and Cities initiative. Dr Nicole Metje Dr Metje works closely with industry to make excavations safer and more cost-effective by employing a suite of different geophysical sensors to see through the ground, detecting buried features such as pipes, cables, capped mine shafts and sinkholes as well as determining soil conditions such as loose soil. She serves on the Institution of Civil Engineers’ Municipal Expert and Geospatial Engineering Panels, the American Association of Civil Engineers’ Utility Standards Committee and the US Transportation Research Board Utilities Committee. She was the only academic on the British Standards Institution’s PAS128 Steering Committee for the development of a UK specification for underground utility detection, verification and location and currently serves on PAS256 (Buried services – Collection, recording and sharing of location information data).
Dr Metje is a CI within the QT Hub for Sensors and Metrology, focusing on gravity sensing in civil engineering. Her work focusses on assessing the practical applications of the QT gravity gradiometer and gravity sensors by modelling external noise sources and providing feedback on practical limitations for civil engineering applications. 48 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
This work package provides an example of Next steps the type of demonstration activities we aim Deployment of first QT gravimeter prototype to grow in WP10. The aim is to put a gravity on real sites. The initial focus will be the gradient quantum sensor prototype into the multi-utility tunnels on the University of hands of civil engineers and geophysicists to Birmingham’s campus and a nuclear bunker test in real-world environments for a range providing a significant density variation. of applications dictated by potential markets, This will be done in conjunction with which include buried pipes and tunnels, our industry partners using conventional mineshafts and voids. In addition to leading geophysical instruments. engineering research this will feed back into Assessment of the prototype the sensor development by providing instrument noise. intelligence on current survey practices. Evaluation of the noise modelling embedded in the forward models to assess the Results range of targets (size and depth) that Together with our industry partners, survey can be detected. methodologies for the existing micro-gravity instrument (Scintrex CG5) have been determined. This information will be used to assess if the new QT gravity sensor (and gradiometer) can improve on the time it takes to carry out a survey while achieving improved results with respect to resolution, accuracy and noise suppression. Forward modelling of a number of different targets has been carried out. The focus has been on utility pipes and tunnels (horizontal, infinite cylindrical shapes), underground storage tanks and caverns (horizontal, cylinders of finite length), building basements/foundations (cuboids), voiding outside tunnels or pipes, leaks, mineshafts and sinkholes (vertical cylinder) and geological faulting (semi-infinite slabs). ‘The biggest advantage of being part of These targets were derived in conjunction the QT Hub as a civil engineer is that I with industry consultation. can provide a practical application for QT gravity sensors, and through my experience ‘RSK are global leaders in near-surface The aims and initial results of the work of working with other geophysical sensing geophysics. Our clients rely on us to have been presented at industrial technologies, I can provide a reality check provide them with solutions. We deploy engagement events. Recent presentations of what it is like to use the QT sensor the most up-to-date equipment available have included: on site. At the same time I get access to to get them the information they need. Tuckwell, G, Metje, N, Boddice, D (2015): a novel sensing technology that no civil Participation in the Hub gives us an early Subsurface Investigation – Are quantum engineer has used before. More importantly, look at what will be the next generation of technology sensors the answer? Sustainable I know that if successful, this will make geophysical sensors. It allows us to start Exploitation of the Subsurface, Geological a real difference to the civil engineering thinking now how we might be able to use Society, London, 20–21 May 2015. community as it can de-risk the unknown them. It means we can feed back into the Boddice, D, Metje, N, Tuckwell, G (2016): ground conditions and provide more Hub to say “we need this”, so we are more The Potential for Quantum Technology confidence when excavating, having likely to get instruments useful to us sooner. Gravity Sensors. European Geosciences both economic and health and safety Not only is it fascinating science, but it is Union General Assembly. Vienna, 17–22 benefits due to a reduction of utility also sound commercial sense for RSK April 2016. strikes or collapses due to unknown to be actively involved.’ Boddice, D (2016): Using Quantum ground conditions.’ Technology Gravity Sensors to Map George Tuckwell, RSK the Underground. Set for Britain. Nicole Metje, University of Birmingham 7 March, London. Work Package 11: Gravity in Civil Engineering 49
WP11 Case Study
The problem QT gravity gradiometer Have you ever wondered how your gas, Using atom interferometry, cold atoms are water, electricity and broadband are supplied used as ideal test-masses to create a gravity to your house? Or why you are stuck in yet sensor which can measure a gravity gradient another traffic jam where there is an open rather than an absolute value. This suppresses hole in the ground? several noise sources, and creates a sensor that is useful in everyday applications. To assess Most utility services, including electricity, the impact of different noise sources, water, gas and telecommunications, are instrument and environmental noise as well Gravity mapping distributed using buried pipelines or conduits, as location effects have been modelled. or via directly buried cables. The majority of The UK Quantum Technology Hub for this buried utility infrastructure exists beneath Sensors and Metrology aims to bring a roads. Some of these are over 200 years old range of quantum sensor devices out of the and indeed, we are still using Roman sewers. laboratory and into the real world. To achieve this, close collaboration with end users, Consequently, we often do not know where such as geophysical surveying companies, these pipes and cables are when they need is needed to understand what the repair or replacement. This leads to excavations applications and limitations of existing in the wrong place, adding to congestion and technologies are, (ie, the ‘competitors’), and delays (see ‘Mapping the Underworld’ and to provide a reality check as the developing ‘Assessing the Underworld’ projects). Several QT technology has to survive the harsh different technologies exist to see through environment on site. the ground, but many rely on transmitting an electromagnetic wave through the ground An aligned Innovate UK project called which is then reflected off a buried pipe or SIGMA is an example of the strong cable, with the reflected signal received at collaboration with industry. This project Issues that can be addressed using the ground surface. However, the ground, is led by RSK with the aim to understand gravity mapping especially wet clay, can make it really difficult current survey practices and to quantify the to see anything deeper than a few centimetres. potential of the next generation of QT-based diameter of feature (m) micro-gravity geophysical instruments to 0 1 2 3 4 As these pipes and cables are buried up to create a step-change in how the ground is 0 several metres below the ground surface, investigated. This work featured two joint an alternative technology such as micro-gravity measurement campaigns using multiple needs to be utilised. This technology measures existing micro-gravity instrumentation to 10
the gravitational field of the subsurface by quantify the environmental noise (waves, depth (m) Area of measuring density variations. This sounds easy, tides, earthquakes, wind) and the variability opportunity but existing sensors are affected by the density in instrument noise. It further quantified the for QT of surrounding buildings or features, vibration field of opportunity compared with existing 20 sensor from traffic and wind, and ocean tides to name geophysical sensors, showing the range of but a few. This limits the possible resolution, targets and depths that would make a significant The range of targets and depths covered ie, smaller objects cannot be detected. difference if the QT sensor could fill this gap. by existing geophysical sensors
Gravity mapping 50 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
WP12: Systems Engineering and Technology Translation
Dr Paul John Work package Leader for Systems Engineering and Technology Translation, e2v technologies (UK) Ltd
Dr John qualified with a BSc in Chemistry from the University of Wales, followed by a PhD from the University of Bristol, both gained in the 1970s.
He joined e2v (then EEV) in the 1980s. Employed as a magnetron development engineer, he worked on the theoretical design and early manufacture of the company’s first high-power co-axial magnetron for demanding military applications.
In the 1990s, Dr John managed e2v’s Central Technical Services division where he led a team of 30 scientists and engineers working to solve some of the most demanding science issues faced by a Dr Paul John leading high-technology manufacturing company.
Dr John is currently a member of e2v’s growing quantum device development team and is based in Chelmsford. His particular interest is in the transition of quantum devices from the university physics laboratory into manufacturing industry.
The importance of successful industrialisation of quantum devices cannot be over-emphasised. Transfer from the university laboratory into manufacturing industry is the prime objective of the UK’s £270 million investment in the National Quantum Technologies Programme.
Successful industrial manufacture of quantum devices and systems will create sustainable employment and capture maximum economic benefit for the UK. Work package 12: Systems Engineering and Technology Translation 51
The aim of Work Package 12 is to work with Key results achieved to date In the area of technology translation the other work packages in the Hub in two Introduction to Systems Engineering talk immediate challenge is to demonstrate a Rb broad areas: given at Hub meeting at NPL cold atom cloud in an industrially developed More detailed systems engineering seminar vacuum chamber and the delivery of that Systems engineering – an experienced presented to Birmingham quantum team chamber to the Birmingham group. This is systems engineer is working with Hub Involvement with Civil Engineering anticipated by mid-2016. The integration of scientists to ensure the finished device (the and potential end users for gravity an e2v-built cold atom chamber with a Gooch system) and the end user (the customer) are imaging project & Housego designed and built laser system considered when design decisions are being Early stage involvement with Nottingham in is expected to be completed by mid-2016; made. To date, this has been achieved through design of the magnetic field device working under a joint Innovate UK (I-UK) a series of systems engineering lectures and Detailed discussion with Birmingham group programme. Additionally, WP12 industrial demonstrations, and through offering targeted to clarify lower-level objectives members will continue to work closely with advice and guidance for specific applications. and specifications academic groups, thereby ensuring knowledge As hub technology develops and approaches Compact cold atom chamber designed and transfer occurs both into and out of industry. the product stage, systems engineering built at e2v to Birmingham’s design Key examples are magnetic field device design concepts and disciplines will assume greater Industrial cold atom laboratory complete with Nottingham and atom dispensing ovens importance. and operational with the National Physical Laboratory. First rubidium cold atom cloud achieved Technology translation – to date, industrial at e2v engineers and scientists have met with Discussions with research groups on the representatives of all member institutions and design and build of a ‘standard’ compact offered an industrial perspective on proposed cold atom chamber designs and concepts. More specifically, the first cold atom cloud was generated at e2v The next challenge for the systems engineering technologies in December 2015. This was aspect of WP12 is to complete the work with as a direct result of technology transfer from the individual scientists in the Birmingham Hub members into UK manufacturing industry. group and ensure they each are working Additionally, an Innovate UK programme is to a clear specification and that the overall underway (University of Birmingham, Gooch & group development activity is carried out with Housego, e2v) to develop a compact cold atom customer requirements and end user needs source in an industrial context to a specification clearly in mind. Additionally, it is planned that provided by the University. A KTS application the education in systems engineering methods has been made which will allow an experienced will continue and be spread across the group. industrial electronic engineer to spend 50% of Also, individual systems engineering needs their time working at a Hub member bringing across Hub members will be addressed. formal industry-standard electronics disciplines The design of an efficient magnetic field device to university devices. with Nottingham and the design and build of a standardised cold atom physics chamber are specific examples.
52 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15 Work package 12: Systems Engineering and Technology Translation 53
WP12 Case Study
Project FreezeRay Testing and demonstration of the final In 2015 an Innovate UK (I-UK)-inspired assembled system was to take place at the consortium comprising the University of University against the specification agreed Birmingham, Gooch & Housego and e2v by all parties at the outset. technologies bid into the ‘Exploring the Commercial Applications of Quantum In order to gain I-UK support for this Technologies’ project call and was collaboration a clear business proposition successful in attracting funding support. was required. The consortium identified a potential current market of around £14 Project FreezeRay was kicked off in August million per annum for laser-cooled rubidium 2015 with the first meeting of all consortium systems. End users of these systems members taking place at Gooch & Housego’s include the next generation of atomic headquarters in Torquay. clocks and they will become the platform for more accurate satellite-based inertial The aim of project FreezeRay is to develop navigation systems. a commercial holistic system for laser trapping and cooling of rubidium atoms. The first six months of the collaboration The system was to be specifically tailored has seen positive progress across all for laser cooling of rubidium atoms work packages with the overall project based on a specification provided by progressing in line with initial expectations. the University and agreed by all parties. The cold atom vacuum container was to In February 2016 I-UK announced new be designed and manufactured by e2v money for existing consortia to use to technologies while Gooch & Housego continue their development beyond their were tasked with developing the 780 nm original objectives. stabilised laser system. Gooch & Housego, e2v and the University Integration of the final system was to be of Birmingham are presently considering carried out at e2v technologies with all extension actions and are preparing a partners having a real-time input to that task. proposal for I-UK’s consideration.
Cold atom equipment being set up at e2v 54 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Engagement and Pathways to Impact
Our Pathways to Impact strategy is based on ensuring seamless links from our research to those who are able to exploit it. We recognise that translating fundamental research to commercial products requires time and coherent staging, linking together different development phases and areas of expertise, as well as developing next-generation human resources.
We have identified five groups within the demand chain to engage with: Core technology partners Potential users of novel products who may need to revise their business models and invest in equipment and staff training Clients, whose demands will drive utilisation Researchers, who will build on our findings The public who will be excited by the practical benefits that investment in science can yield
In building the demand chain, it is important to view the Hub’s activity through different lenses and to communicate effectively with each group. A communication strategy has been created to facilitate this. Engagement and Pathways to Impact 55
Engagement with core technology partners
Dstl: gravity imager and optical clock developments, field trials HRH Duke of York e2v: vacuum, imaging and systems engineering meeting Dr George Tuckwell, RSK, M Squared: electronics, lasers and system validation during a visit to QT NPL: clock and magnetometer development and system validation Hub, University of Kelvin Nanotechnologies Ltd (KNT): semiconductor laser systems, Birmingham MOT/atom/ion chips Chronos Technology Ltd: timing signal generation RAL: space applications
Defence Exploration Transport Infrastructure Other AWE ArkeX Network Rail Balfour Beatty Chemring BAE Systems BGS Texas Transportation Cardno ESA GEM Elettronica BP Institute Drill Line IBM MBDA GeoDynamics Transport for London ICE KTN Sandia Halliburton Infotec MTC Selex MicrogLacoste JK Guest Oxford Instruments Thales Muquans Macleod Simmonds Plextek TMD Reid Geophysics RSK Procter & Gamble UTC Aerospace Schlumberger Severn Trent Water Q. Wave Fund Stratascan Qrometric Subscan Rolls-Royce Semiconductors Healthcare Laser Subsurface Utility Royal Institute of Compound Elekta Coherent Eng. Navigation Semiconductor NHS Trauma ColdQuanta T2 Utility Engineers Samsung Technologies Vertex ELUXI UKSTT Texas Instruments IQE Gooch & Housego URS Infrastructure TSB-KTP HighFinesse and Environment Versyns Ventures Sacher UTSI Electronics Witted
Many of these companies, who have supported the QT Hub from the outset, are integrated into the Hub’s technology programme at governance, management and practical levels. Technology delivery with industry is supported at management level by WP12, co-led by Paul John (e2v), a dedicated technology transfer officer (Francesco Maria Colacino, Alta Innovations), and a dedicated systems engineer (Steve Maddox, e2v).
The Technology Transfer Centre in Birmingham Engaging with industry in the first year of and the Rapid Prototyping Centre in the QT Hub has raised awareness within Nottingham are enabling co-location, with industry of quantum technologies, prompted shared office and laboratory space. Fraunhofer requests for further information and dialogue, Centre for Applied Photonics continues to be and sparked creativity. It has also steered co-located with the University of Strathclyde. developments, allowing user needs, Inward and outward secondments, and industry standards, market segmentation co-supervised PhD students, all contribute and engineering implications to be better to a common understanding of the scientific understood and incorporated at the earliest potential and market requirements. Co-locating stages of technology development and within metrology work at NPL and our partnerships future plans. It has helped us towards our with Dstl, e2v, M Squared Lasers and Chronos objective of building the market and interlinking are providing direct routes to market. Additional with researchers in academia and industry. collaborative funding has been sought and won, and QT Hub partnership funding has been allocated. These industrially focused projects support the QT Hub’s mission and strengthen collaboration with partners. 56 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Engagement with potential users of novel products
The companies, organisations and These events have included: professionals who will use the new products and tools developed by the Hub range Visit of Lockheed Martin January 2015 Birmingham from geophysical surveyors and medical International Navigation Conference February 2015 Manchester professionals to utility and ICT engineers. Navigation meeting April 2015 Cambridge Our prototyping work packages (5–9) and Sustainable Exploitation of the Subsurface, May 2015 London technology transfer work packages (10–12) Geological Society have been designed specifically to derive UTC Aerospace Systems May 2015 Birmingham high impact from Hub activities. The Hub is outward-facing and is demonstrating the QT for Space Workshop (RAL) June 2015 Birmingham potential of the new quantum sensors at Dstl meeting – working together June 2015 Windsor trade fairs and workshops, and in follow-up Telecoms market for clocks July 2015 Ipswich discussions. This is stimulating ideas and Visit of Plextek July 2015 Birmingham markets for developing and using quantum Visit of Darlington, Terra Data July 2015 Birmingham sensors in a range of environments, highlighting potential new business opportunities for users Invited talk at American Express Europe September 2015 Brighton and outlining the implications for changes to Greater Birmingham and the West Midlands – September 2015 Belgium existing practices. a European Home of Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Gravity Uses (Road Mapping) Workshop, in September 2015 London association with ColdQuanta Aerospace Growth Partnership Future Flight October 2015 Birmingham Deck programme discussion of QT ICT 2015 October 2015 Portugal Meet the Hubs event October 2015 Ipswich Royal Society Quantum Industry Showcase November 2015 London University of Birmingham VC Business November 2015 Birmingham Engagement Meeting Innovate 2015 November 2015 London Elips, UK Space Agency November 2015 London Assessing the Underworld December 2015 Southampton EMTECH, NPL February 2016 Teddington SPIE Photonics West Exhibition and Conference February 2016 USA Engagement and Pathways to Impact 57
Engagement with clients, civil servants and policy makers
The local, national and international political Visit of Greg Clarke November 2014 Birmingham environment is being affected by the UK UK/US – MOD/DOD meeting February 2015 Chicheley National Quantum Technologies Programme and QT Hub’s advocacy work. The QT QT Singapore (British High Commission in March 2015 Singapore Hub members have already taken many Singapore) opportunities to engage directly with UK European discussions on QT workshop May 2015 Belgium and international policy makers, promoting GCHQ invited talk on the opportunities of June 2015 Cheltenham the opportunities presented by quantum quantum technologies for national security technologies, and the achievements of the UK Royal Society Soiree – Summer Exhibition July 2015 London National Quantum Technologies Programme. Visit of Mark Garnier MP July 2015 Birmingham Events which facilitate engagement with policy makers include: Visit of Gareth Davies, BIS September 2015 Birmingham Government Office for Science Quantum Expert September 2015 London Round Table September 2015 London Visit of HRH Duke of York September 2015 Birmingham Greater Birmingham and the West Midlands – a September 2015 Belgium European Home of Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Visit of Neil Stansfield and Andy Bell (Dstl) September 2015 Birmingham Royal Society Quantum Industry Showcase November 2015 London
UK parliament exhibition November 2015 London QMI opening (NPL) November 2015 Teddington Visit of Lt Col Vic Putz, Physics Program November 2015 Birmingham Manager, Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), European Office of Aerospace Research and Development (EOARD) EU parliament quantum lunch meeting December 2015 Belgium Visit of BIS February 2016 Birmingham HRH Duke of York (left) meeting Professor Mark Visit of UKTI Germany February 2016 Birmingham Frombold during a visit to QT Hub, University of Birmingham 58 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Engagement with researchers
Our researchers ensure wide awareness of the QT Hub participants hold positions QT Hub participants also hold positions Hub’s findings and benefits to the academic on advisory boards for: on the following committees: and professional practitioner community through EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training on Global Young Academy – Open Science a publication strategy focusing on high-impact Coherent Quantum Dynamics at Imperial group (M Peccianti, member) journals, as listed on the opposite page, as well College (W Hensinger) Global Young Academy – Global Access as key conferences and events. Undergraduate EPSRC COMPASS project (W Hensinger) to Research Software group and postgraduate students at the collaborating EPSRC ADDRFSS project (W Hensinger) (M Peccianti, member) institutions are benefiting from teaching in Global Young Academy General Meeting areas of cutting-edge research. Students’ and The impact of this advice is reported to be (M Peccianti, member) researchers’ influence, and advocacy of the improved teaching, better training, improved Institute of Physics Quantum Optics, research outcomes, continues as they pursue student satisfaction and the realisation of Quantum Information and Quantum Control their careers and obtain positions in industry and quantum technologies. Group (M Fromhold, Chair) academia. Current routes to influence policy are Photoptics 2015, 3rd International listed in the following pages, as are publications, Conference on Photonics, Optics conferences and events. and Laser Technology, Berlin, Germany (P Horak, Programme Committee Member) Photoptics 2016, 4th International Conference on Photonics, Optics and Laser Technology, Rome, Italy (P Horak, Programme Committee Member) 4th International Workshop on Specialty Optical Fibers WSOF 2015, Hong Kong, China; (P Horak, Programme Committee Member) SPIE Photonics Europe 2016 conference, Brussels, Belgium (P Horak, Programme Committee Member) Optical Sensors, OSA Topical Meeting 2016, Vancouver, Canada (P Horak, Programme Committee Member)
The impact of this work includes an improved regulatory environment, improved educational and skill level of the workforce, and changed public attitudes on social issues.
Engagement and Pathways to Impact 59
PUBLICATIONS
45o tilted gratings for silica-based integrated polarizers, M T Posner, P Mennea, N Podoliak. P Horak, J C Gates, P G R Smith, 2015 (Conference Proceeding_Abstract) Atom interferometric cooling: PRL 115, 073004 (2015) Burst-mode operation of a 655GHz mode locked laser based on an 11-th order microring resonator, L Jin, A Pasquazi, K S Tsang, V Ho, M Peccianti, A Cooper, L Caspani, M Ferrera, B E Little, D J Moss, 2015 Cavity Quantum Electrodynamics of Continuously Monitored Bose-Condensed Atoms, M Lee, J Ruostekoski, 2015 Comparative simulations of Fresnel holography methods for atomic waveguides, V Henderson, P Griffin, E Riis, A Arnold, 2016 Cross-polarized photon-pair generation and bi-chromatically pumped optical parametric oscillation on a chip, C Reimer, M Kues, L Caspani, B Wetzel, P Roztocki, M Clerici, Y Jestin, M Ferrera, M Peccianti, A Pasquazi, 2015, Determining graphene’s induced band gap with magnetic and electric emitters, J Werra, P Krüger, K Busch, F Intravaia, 2016 Development of a strontium optical lattice clock for the SOC mission on the ISS, K Bongs, 2015 Diffraction grating characterisation for cold-atom experiments, J McGilligan, P Griffin, E Riis, A S Arnold, 2016 Four wave mixing in 5th order cascaded CMOS compatible ring resonators, L Jin, A Pasquazi, L Di Lauro, M Peccianti, B E Little, D J Moss, R Morandotti, S T Chu, 2015. Graphene-hexagonal boron nitride resonant tunneling diodes as high-frequency oscillators, J Gaskell, L Eave, K Novoselov, A Mishchenko, A Geim, T Fromhold, M Greenaway, 2015 Ground-State Cooling of a Trapped Ion Using Long-Wavelength Radiation, S Weidt, J Randall, S C Webster, E D Standing, A Rodriguez, A E Webb, B Lekitsch, W K Hensinger, 2015 Holographic atomic waveguides NJP 18, 025007 (2016) Inductively guided atom guides Nature Comm. 5, 5289 (2014) Integrated bi-chromatically pumped optical parametric oscillator for orthogonally polarized photon pair generation, C Reimer, M Kues, L Caspani, B Wetzel, P Roztocki, M Clerici, Y Jestin, M Ferrera, M Peccianti, A Pasquazi, 2015, Light propagation beyond the mean-field theory of standard optic, J Javanainen, J Ruostekoski, 2016 Localized Single Frequency Lasing States in a Finite Parity-Time Symmetric Resonator Chain, S Phang, A Vukovic, S Creagh, P Sewell, G Gradoni, T Benson, 2016 Multi-qubit gate with trapped ions for microwave and laser-based implementation I Cohen, S Weidt, W Hensinger, A Retzker, 2015. Nanoscale roughness micromilled silica evanescent refractometer, L G Carpenter, P A Cooper, C Holmes, C B E Gawith, J C Gates, P G R Smith, 2015 Narrow linewidth visible/UV semiconductor disk lasers for quantum technologies, D Paboeuf, B Jones, J Rodríguez-García, P Schlosser, D Swierad, J Hughes, O Kock, L Smith, K Bongs, Y Singh, Nature Physics 11, pp615–617 (2015) www.nature.com/nphys/journal/v11/n8/full/nphys3427.html Phase-space properties of magneto-optical traps utilising micro-fabricated gratings, J McGilligan, P Griffin, E Riis, A Arnold, 2015 Planarised optical fiber composite using flame hydrolysis deposition demonstrating an integrated FBG anemometer, C Holmes, J C Gates, P G R Smith, 2014 Quantum Hub for Sensor and Metrology, Y Singh, 2015 Quantum Sensors for Civil Engineers, Y Singh, 2015 Radio-frequency dressed lattices for ultracold alkali atoms, German A, Sinuco-León, 2015 Resonant tunnelling between the chiral Landau states of twisted graphene lattices, M Greenaway, E Vdovin, A Mishchenko, O Makarovsky, A Patane, J Wallbank, Y Cao, A Kretinin, M Zhu, S Morozov, 2015 Sagnac Interferometry with a Single Atomic Clock, R Stevenson, M R Hush, T Bishop, I Lesanovsky, T Fernholz, 2015. Space Optical Clocks – a quantum technology for space, Y Singh, 2015 Spectrally resolved pulse evolution in a mode-locked vertical-external-cavity surface-emitting laser from lasing onset measurements, A Turnbull, C Head, E Shaw, T Chen-Sverre, A Tropper, 2015 Talk – Towards the next generation of portable and affordable brain imaging tools, A Kowalczyk, K Bongs, K Shapiro, A Mazaheri, 2015 Transportable/Portable/Space Optical Lattice Clock, Y Singh, 2015 Psi in the sky, K Bongs, M Holynski, Y Singh, 2015 60 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Conferences and events
'Public Perception of Quantum Technologies', panel discussion November 2014 Germany Seminar at National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder December 2014 USA Invited Colloquium – opportunities of quantum technologies January 2015 Bristol Navigation conference February 2015 Manchester Dstl Defence Community event March 2015 Glasgow CLEO May 2015 USA Sustainable Exploitation of the Subsurface May 2015 London Progress In Electromagnetics Research Symposium (PIERS 2015) July 2015 Czech Rep. SUSSP71 Summer School July 2015 UoSt, Glasgow Invited talk, 'Nonequilibrium quantum dynamics in low dimensions' July 2015 Durham Visit of Alex Orlov (USA) July 2015 Birmingham Dstl Business and Innovation Skills PhD Summer School August 2015 Birmingham IIP School: Strongly Coupled Field Theories for Condensed Matter and Quantum Information Theory August 2015 Brazil IIP Workshop: Strongly Coupled Field Theories for Condensed Matter and Quantum Information Theory August 2015 Brazil International Institute of Physics Conference August 2015 Brazil Seminar at National Institute of Standards and Technology, Boulder August 2015 USA QUAMP 2015 September 2015 Brighton National Quantum conference September 2015 Oxford Dstl Defence Community event September 2015 Loughborough Quantum UK 2015, UKNQTP Conference September 2015 Oxford Photonics Day September 2015 Southampton COST IC1208 September 2015 Hungary ICT October 2015 Portugal Workshop on Optically Pumped Magnetometry October 2015 Finland Systems Engineering in QT workshop October 2015 Birmingham Asia Communications and Photonics Conference (ACP) 2015 November 2015 Hong Kong Innovate 2015 November 2015 London Invited Colloquium – opportunities of quantum technologies November 2015 Germany Institute of Physics – Hybrid Quantum Systems Far From Equilibrium November 2015 Chicheley Atomes Froids December 2015 France Atom interferometer workshop December 2015 France Invited Colloquium – opportunities of quantum technologies December 2015 Loughborough Workshop on Magnetometry as a Quantum Technology December 2015 UoSt, Glasgow JILA seminar December 2015 USA Holger Muller’s atomic physics group seminar, Berkeley University December 2015 USA Talk at UCL-CDT school December 2015 Chicheley Visit of Mark Kasevich December 2015 Birmingham Invited Colloquium – opportunities of quantum technologies January 2016 Germany Institute of Physics lecture January 2016 Edinburgh Guest undergraduate lecture on quantum technologies, part of the 'Modern Applications of Physics: January 2016 Nottingham From Research to Industry (F34AAP)' module Geo-engineering Seminar Series 2015 January 2016 Canada Midlands Innovation Photonics Event January 2016 Aston Winter Colloquium on the Physics of Quantum Electronics January 2016 USA Institute of Physics lecture February 2016 Birmingham SU2P Workshop on Diamond for Quantum Technology and Sensors February 2016 UoSt, Glasgow SPIE Photonics West Conference and Exhibition February 2016 USA Engagement and Pathways to Impact 61
Public engagement
The QT Hub is proactive in public engagement, These events have included: using social media, TV, radio and the press, Qubitter invited public lecture December 2014 Loughborough as well as presenting and exhibiting magneto- Scottish Launch of the International Year of Light February 2015 Edinburgh optical trap (MOT) demonstrators at prestigious demonstration system for laser cooling of atoms science festivals and other events. Two-way dialogue, forming part of our Responsible A Pint of Science. Public lecture May 2015 Southampton Research and Innovation work, has raised The Times Cheltenham Science Festival invited June 2015 Cheltenham awareness, led to further invitations to engage, public lectures sparked discussion and lots of questions. Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition July 2015 London Dundee Science Festival, demonstration of MOT November 2015 Dundee Open Day talks on Quantum Technologies Various, 2015 Nottingham Demonstration of laser cooling of atoms in a Various, 2015 University of St magneto-optical trap (MOT) Andrews
Our press and social media coverage has included:
Scientists Freeze Atoms to Near Absolute Zero July 2015 Press release re: Duke of York visit September 2015 Linkedin/pulse October 2015
Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition The Times November 2015 Photo credit: Lingxiao Zhu Transport Network November 2015 University of Birmingham – How can quantum technology make the underground visible? November 2015
In addition to direct public engagement, New Electronics – Future technology on show at Quantum Technology Showcase November 2015 primary activities with national press have Laboratorytalk – Quantum research in the spotlight November 2015 included Professor Kai Bongs being The Engineer – Quantum technology roadmap unveiled for the UK November 2015 interviewed by journalist Tom Whipple about Design Products and Applications – UK’s Quantum Hubs show future technology November 2015 gravity sensing, resulting in an article in The Times on 16 November 2015. This article led Process Engineering – Quantum research in the spotlight November 2015 to an increase in requests for information and Process and Control Today – UK's Quantum Hubs show future technology November 2015 discussion, and other media outlets picked up Phys.org – UK’s Quantum Hubs show future technology November 2015 the story. This added to coverage of the Royal Eureka magazine – Future technology on show at Quantum Technology Showcase November 2015 Society Quantum Industry Showcase to make Bloomberg Business – UK’s Quantum Hubs show future technology November 2015 November 2015 a hot spot for the QT Hub in the press. QT Hub researchers have also Optics.org – Quantum buzz as metrology institute opens November 2015 been involved in filming at Dstl, preparing two Compute Scotland – Anyone for Quantum Hubs? November 2015 documentaries for broadcast on the BBC. Marinelink.com – UK’s Quantum Hubs show future technology November 2015 University of Bristol – UK’s Quantum Hubs show future technology November 2015 @Sensors_QTHub February 2016 62 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Quantum Sensors and Metrology Community
Directed by the drive, vision and ambition of Professor Bongs, the QT Hub is becoming internationally recognised as a centre of excellence for quantum sensors and metrology. Our researchers have already won £2.1 million plus €1 million of additional research and development funding, which underpins and reinforces the original investment in the QT Hub, strengthening our ability to deliver our objectives. This development funding is in addition to fundamental science funding which is standard for university research groups, and will continue to feed our QT development pipeline. Several members of our large and growing research team have been recognised and rewarded, and some of the intellectual property generated has already received patent protection in preparation for licensing.
Our people are developing within the QT sector, through PhD schools, secondments and career progression from academia to industry. Our academic and commercial collaborations are growing; both expanding our network and deepening the relationships with key partners through new formal funded collaborations and instances of accessing facilities and expertise.
QT people
QT Hub embraces the expertise of B Garraway, invited as keynote speaker and the public in QT. John Malcolm was then numerous internationally recognised at: Winter Colloquium on the Physics seconded from the University of Birmingham researchers. Recent examples of this of Quantum Electronics, Utah, USA; to M Squared Lasers Ltd from May 2015. continuing recognition are: Atomtronics workshop, Benasque, This secondment is to continue the transfer D Paul, awarded Institute of Physics Spain, May 2015; CAMEL 11 workshop, of knowledge on atom interferometry to the President’s Medal Nessebar, Bulgaria, 2015 company to enable development of products D Paul, awarded EPSRC Quantum V Boyer, invited as keynote speaker at: in this area. It has resulted in company Technologies Fellowship QuTe 2015 – Sheffield investment to lead an Innovate UK project in P Smith, awarded EPSRC Quantum M Fromhold, Chair of Institute of Physics this area and its follow-on project. Technologies Fellowship Quantum Optics, Quantum Information W Hensinger, invited speaker at: and Quantum Control Group, 2015 Marco Menchetti and Miguel Dovale have COMPASS external advisory board both been seconded for 18 months from meeting, January 2016, Liphook, To stay at the forefront, our technology the University of Birmingham to the National Hampshire; Microwaves Go Quantum, partners will need to find the human Physical Laboratory (NPL). This has led to 602. WE-Heraeus-Seminar November resources able to move seamlessly between collaboration on the development of laser 2015, Physikzentrum Bad Honnef, quantum physics and industrial engineering. stabilisation and enhancement with optical Germany; Control of Quantum Dynamics The Hub will produce many people with cavities and the development of next- of Atoms, Molecules and Ensembles industrially relevant capabilities, including generation optical time standards. by Light Workshop 2015, Nessebar, PhDs and research staff. To aid the creation Bulgaria; 46th Annual DAMOP Meeting, of a quantum community across the UK, six Ole Kock is now employed by e2v, June 2015, Columbus, Ohio; QION 2015 researchers have already moved between transferring the cold atoms knowledge and Workshop on Quantum Information and academic institutions and industry. working relationships he gained while working Quantum Dynamics in Ion Traps, March at the University of Birmingham to e2v, and 2015, Tel Aviv, Israel; SEPNet Quantum Komal Pahwa was seconded from the has achieved cold atoms within e2v’s new QT Technologies Winter School 2015, January University of Birmingham to M Squared testing area. In addition, the role for a systems 2015, Liphook, Hampshire Lasers Ltd until April 2015, to aid the transfer engineer was specifically recruited to work M Peccianti, invited as keynote speaker at: of cold atom knowledge to M Squared Lasers with the QT Hub. Steve Maddox fulfils NICE OPTICS 2016, October 2016 to enable the development of commercial this role. products in this area. A first impact was the investment of company money to lead an Daniele Parrotta has accepted a position at Innovate UK collaboration project to take this Laser Quantum, transferring his QT special further towards commercialisation. In addition laser skills from the University of Strathclyde the company has developed a demonstrator, to industry. which was shown at events such as the Innovate UK conference and the National QT Showcase event, engaging wider industry Quantum Sensors and Metrology Community 63
Supply chain technologies The researchers who have contributed, to a greater or lesser extent, to the supply chain development work packages (1–4) are:
WP1 WP2 WP3 WP4 Glasgow Nottingham Strathclyde Birmingham D Paul M Fromhold J Hastie M Attallah D Cumming, D Gourlay, D Lang, A Finke, A Rushforth, C Mellor, C Morley, A Kemp, D Paboeuf, G Voulazeris, D MacIntyre, E Ghisetti, E Wyllie, C Petrucci, E Da Ros, F Gentile, F Orucevic, D Parrotta, L Caspani M Holynski, F Schupp, G Ternent, H Li, H Zhou, J Ferreras, J Maclean, J Moss, L Hackermüller, M Perea, Y Gaber J Kirdoda, J Marsh, M Sorel, M Steer, M Greenaway, N Welch, P Krüger, R Beardsley, R Roger, S Thoms, Y Ding R Campion, R Crawford, R Saint, R Vanhouse, R Wildman, S Novikov, T Barrett, T Benson, T Foxon, T James, T Pyragius, W Evans Birmingham Southampton Southampton Nottingham J Malcolm, M Holynski A Dragomir, C Holmes, M Aldous, A Tropper, A Turnbull, E Shaw, R Wildman M Himsworth, R Roy J Ruostekoski, M Gouveia, M Samoylova, M Turvey, P Horak, R Head, T Chen Sverre Nottingham Sussex Sussex L Hackermuller, S Piano A Nizamani, B Garraway, B Lekitsch, E Potter, A Pasquazi, E Potter, H Lang, J Cooling, G Sinuco, H Bostock, J Cooling, W Hensinger L DiLauro, L Peters, M Peccianti
Prototyping The researchers who have contributed, to a greater or lesser extent, to the prototyping work packages (5–9) are:
WP5 WP6 WP7 WP8 WP9 Birmingham Nottingham Southampton Strathclyde Birmingham K Bongs P Krüger T Freegarde E. Riis V. Boyer A Freise, A Hinton, A Kaushik, A Finke, A Gadge, F Gentile, A Dragomir, C Gawith, A. Arnold, J. McGilligan, J. Hordell, A Lamb, A Niggebaum, A Stabrawa, F Orucevic, J Maclean, M Brookes, D Richardson, M Carey, P. Griffin, R. Elvin P. Petrov C Rammeloo, D Brown, G Voulazeris, N Garrido, N Gonzalez, R Bowtell, M Gouveia, M Himsworth, L Zhu, M Cruise, M Perea, M Holynski, R Crawford, R Saint, R Wildman, M Belal, M Aldous, P Smith, S Plant, S Viswam, Y Lien S Dhatturi, T Bishop, T James, X Li Y Bradbury Southampton Nottingham Birmingham A Dragomir, C Holmes, M Fromhold, M Bason, B Megyeri, D Swierad, J Hughes, M Aldous, M Himsworth, R Roy (P Krüger), T Fernholz, K Bongs, M Dovale, M Menchetti, T Pyragius W He, Y Singh, Q Ubaid Strathclyde Sussex A Arnold, A Kemp, E Riis, B Garraway, G Sinuco J Hastie, P Griffin, S Ingleby Sussex Strathclyde A Blanco, A Nizamani, A Arnold, E Riis, J Halket, B Lekitsch, E Potter, H Bostock, P Griffin, V Henderson, Y Kale M Akhtar, S Weidt, W Hensinger
Market building and management The researchers who have contributed, to a greater or lesser extent, to the market building and management work packages (10–13) are: WP10 WP11 WP12 WP13 Birmingham Birmingham Glasgow Birmingham C Constantinou N Metje D Paul J Smart A Kowalczyk, S Plant D Boddice, V Gaffney A Schofield, C Keeton, D Davies, D Swanton, F Colacino, G Barontini, G Howell, J Wilkie, K Bongs, L Booth, L Heath, L Vernall, M Chung, M Freer, M Turner, R Fox, R Mahoon, R Malik, T Palubicki, X Rodde e2v Glasgow P John M Anderson O Kock, S Maddox Nottingham D Sims, G Rice, P Milligan Southampton C Di Chio, D Woolley Strathclyde D Reid Sussex K O’Brien 64 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Intellectual assets
The management of intellectual property rights (IPR) and exploitation activities within the Hub is co-ordinated through Alta Innovations Ltd, the technology transfer company of the University of Birmingham, working closely with the other institutions’ technology transfer offices.
Capture, protection, management and exploitation of IPR connected to or arising from the Hub is achieved by a quality system procedure. This latter encompasses a collection of standard operating procedures which ensure consistency, oversight and guidance for the Hub members. IPR training has been provided locally to the staff of each university as well as centrally during Hub general meetings.
To date, over 40 recorded disclosures and patent filings have been made, with a projected increase over the coming months following further technological developments. Quantum Sensors and Metrology Community 65
Collaborations
The Hub develops and evolves collaborations Organisation Collaboration and partnerships with a range of stakeholders, Chalmers University of In-kind contribution to surface sensors collaboration with NPL, Humboldt University in particular with industry and the other Technology of Berlin and The University of Nottingham on cold atom microscopy on graphene QT Hubs, to develop a synergistic national samples and hyperbolic metamaterials. network of quantum technologies capabilities. ColdQuanta Innovate UK 'Commercial Portable Gravity Meters Based on Quantum Technologies', New collaborations have been forged a feasibility study with Birmingham and M Squared Lasers. between selections of our Hub universities and organisations from within and outside Dstl Multiple projects, studentships and events, co-location of staff within Technology Transfer Centre, Birmingham. the UK. These collaborations have already led to detailed designs, funding applications and e2v Innovate UK 'FreezeRay', compatibility study with Birmingham and Gooch & Housego. the placement of students. Further joint proposals in preparation. European Space Joint funding of student. Our pool of advisors further expands Agency our horizons to ensure the QT Hub Fraunhofer Innovate UK 'COALESCe: COmpAct Light Engines for Strontium Optical Clocks', works effectively within the UK and with M Squared Lasers and Strathclyde. European QT, science, technology and Innovate UK 'CLOCWORC: Compact Low-cost Optical Clocks based on innovation communities. Whispering gallery mOde Resonator frequency Combs', with M Squared Lasers. Gooch & Housego Innovate UK 'FreezeRay', compatibility study with Birmingham and e2v. To facilitate the feeling of community and The Heart Hospital, Partnership funding project with UCL. to provide tangible access to facilities and London people with knowledge, new bespoke facilities have been created within the QT Hub: Heriot-Watt University National programme events. the Rapid Prototyping Facility for Quantum Humboldt University In-kind contribution to surface sensors collaboration with NPL, Chalmers University Technologies at The University of Nottingham of Berlin of Technology and The University of Nottingham on cold atom microscopy on to facilitate industrial collaboration on atom graphene samples and hyperbolic metamaterials. traps; and the QT Technology Transfer Centre M Squared Lasers Innovate UK 'Commercial Portable Gravity Meters Based on Quantum Technologies'. at the University of Birmingham to allow Innovate UK ‘PAINTS: Practical Atom Interferometer System’. co-location with industry, providing Innovate UK ‘QuDOS: Quantum technologies using Diffractive Optical Structures’. office space and access to QT cold atom Innovate UK ‘COALESCe: COmpAct Light Engines for Strontium Optical Clocks’, with Fraunhofer and Strathclyde. laboratories. These technology transfer Innovate UK ‘CLOCWORC: Compact Low-cost Optical Clocks based on facilities are already populated with Whispering gallery mOde Resonator frequency Combs’, with Fraunhofer. academics, and demonstrate some of the Partnership funding project with Glasgow. work in lasers, atomics package, gravity, Partnership funding project with Durham. magnetometry, clocks and civil engineering. National Physical Single tunable cavity to stabilise five different laser wavelengths; Q-sense EU They receive numerous industrial and Laboratory (NPL) H2020 project; surface sensors collaboration with Humboldt University of Berlin, academic visitors, many on a frequent Chalmers University of Technology and The University of Nottingham on cold atom basis with a view to co-locating people and microscopy on graphene samples and hyperbolic metamaterials; secondment of equipment within the next few months. students; magnetometry discussions; partnership funding project with Sussex. Oxford University National programme events; magnetometry discussions. RAL Joint proposals submitted for funding. Royal Holloway National programme events. University RSK Innovate UK 'SIGMA: Study of Industrial Gravity Measurement Applications'. University of Bath National programme events. University of Bristol National programme events. University of National programme events. Cambridge University College, Magnetometry discussions; partnership funding project. London University of Leeds National programme events. University of Sheffield National programme events. University of Warwick National programme events. University of York National programme events. 66 UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology Annual Report 2014–15
Use of partnership resource
In our successful proposal to the ESPRC, This allocation did not foresee the EPSRC Funding is only distributed to universities, we stated that an allocation of £5.2 million, requirement to use partnership resource to at up to 80% of FEC, and each project must equivalent to nearly 21% of the recurrent allow the QT Hub to support, participate have industrial support. costs, has been made available for use as in, and sometimes host National Quantum partnership resource. Technologies Programme events, Initial focus has been on funding new including the annual conference and annual academic collaborations, with the majority The proposal further sets out our industry showcase. of the demonstration of prototypes funding assumptions that: expected to be allocated in the coming years. 35% (£1.82 million) will be used for new The partnership resource is being distributed The management board are keen to use the academic collaborations, which in turn has by the management board, in consultation with flexibility of partnership resource funds to been apportioned between both directly our Application and Technology Exploitation focus resources and respond to opportunities allocated staff (£364k) as well as directly Panel (ATEP), to fund exciting new developments. that arise during the lifetime of the project. incurred (£1.456 million). A call for proposals is continuously open, The following projects have been approved 10% (£520k) will be allocated to cover and publicised on the QT Hub website for funding (correct on 29 February 2016): the travel and subsistence costs (http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/qthub). associated with secondments to industry or other institutions which are developed as the proof of concept work becomes Institution (sponsor) Area Type of activity Allocation % of partnership ripe for translation. 100% FEC £k resource fund 50% (£2.6 million) will be allocated to Sussex (NPL) Clocks running sandpit events with industry to UCL (The Heart Magnet New academic develop new ideas for application of the Hospital, London) 1857 35.7 collaboration emerging technology and then funding Durham (M Squared Microwave the most promising ideas through to Lasers) and THz demonstration of prototypes in a relevant Birmingham Workshops or operational environment (TRL6/7). Nottingham Workshops This should de-risk the technology, making it more likely that industry will seek to Glasgow Workshops invest in the next stage of development. Workshops 5% (£260k) will be allocated to running Strathclyde Workshops 302 5.8 an annual conference and more frequent Sussex Workshops topical workshops which will ensure that Southampton Workshops the community can both publicise the Birmingham UKNQTP achievements of the Hub and engage National programme regularly with the best scientists and Birmingham UKNQTP events industry in the world. Glasgow (M Squared Lasers Lasers) Demonstration of 405 (max) 7.8 Birmingham Business prototype Director Nottingham Network Travel/secondment 250 4.8 To be allocated £2386k 46%
Effective and efficient operations
The QT hub, led by Kai Bongs, is responsible to facilitate progress towards our objectives, for the effective and efficient use of the public identifying and building upon synergies with funds awarded to meet the agreed objectives other groups, including KTN, industry groups of: building a supply chain for quantum sensor and other parts of the UKNQT Programme, technology; building a set of prototypes; as seen in the conferences and events and and building the market and interlinking with collaborations sections of this report. researchers in academia and industry. This is being achieved, guided by the advice received from the expert advisory panels, through allocating, and re-allocating, grant and other resources across the consortium Quantum Sensors and Metrology Community 67
Further funding
£2.1 million plus €1 million of additional SIGMA: feasibility study Other large-scale projects related to the funding related to the QT Hub has been COALESCe: technology programme QT Hub include: received from the EPSRC, the European CLOCWORC: feasibility study £128 million of BIS/HMT funding for Commission, the European Space ESA NPI (European Space Agency UKCRIC – UK Collaboratorium for Agency, the University of Birmingham, the Networking/Partnering Initiative) Research in Infrastructure and Cities. EPSRC Follow-On Fund, The University Knowledge transfer secondments This includes £21 million for the of Nottingham, Defence Science and QuDOS construction of a unique, national large- Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Innovate UK Microfabricated optics for scale test facility for buried infrastructure. under the following schemes: quantum technologies This will be invaluable for the testing of ‘Quantum sensors – from the lab to the Dstl – studentships QT gravity sensors. field (Qu-sense)’: MSCA-RISE-2015 – Research priority area £60 million Energy Research Accelerator Marie Skłodowska-Curie Research and Dstl DSTLX-1000094497 Lattice Clock £3 million joint-funded GeoEnergy Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) Dstl DSTLX-1000094114 HCF + Research Centre (GERC) ‘FreezeRay’ collaborative research Yb+ clocks Quantum Metrology Institute at NPL and development Dstl gravity imager ‘Commercial Portable Gravity Meters Dstl microcomb Based on Quantum Technologies’ Joint UK–France Dstl quantum feasibility study technology studentship PAINTS: collaborative research and development
Grant spend profile
The UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors Birmingham and Metrology is supported by the EPSRC 6 Birmingham Actual UK Quantum Technologies Programme under Glasgow grant EP/M013294/1. Spend across the Glasgow Actual 5 universities within the consortium is broadly Nottingham on plan, indicating that the appropriate Nottingham Actual 4 Southampton investment in staff and equipment has been Southampton Actual 3 made at the start of the programme to
Strathclyde £ Million facilitate the delivery of our objectives. Strathclyde Actual 2 Sussex Sussex Actual 1
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5
Governance and advisors
The QT Hub is managed and controlled by Management Board ATEP EAB the management board, who are advised by Chair – Kai Bongs Chair – S Till, Dstl Chair – T Cross, e2v the Application and Technology Exploitation Andy Schofield (Birmingham), Brendan Casey (Kelvin Alison Hodge (Aston), Panel (ATEP) which meets quarterly, and Anne Tropper (Southampton), Nanotechnology), Cliff Weatherup Andy Schofield (Birmingham), the External Advisory Board (EAB) which Barry Garraway (Sussex), (e2v), David Miles (Elekta), Frances Saunders (ex-IOP), meets twice a year. These boards also share Douglas J Paul (Glasgow), Emanuele Rocco (Niu Tech), Paul Thomas (GCHQ), members with the UKNQT Programme James Wilkie (Alta Innovations), George Tuckwell (RSK), Richard Gunn (EPSRC), Strategic Advisory Board (SAB). Jennifer Hastie (Strathclyde), Graeme Malcolm (M Squared Robin Hart (NPL), Simon Bennett Mark Fromhold (Nottingham), Lasers), James Wilkie (Alta (Innovate UK), Stephen Till (Dstl), Kai Bongs has overall responsibility for the Patrick Gill (NPL), Peter Krüger Innovations), Leon Lobo (NPL), Tom Rodden (Nottingham), (Nottingham), Stephen Till (Dstl), Lydia Hyde (BAE Systems), Wolfgang Ertmer (Hannover) EPSRC grant. The management board values Trevor Cross (e2v) Paul Wilkinson (British Geological and acts upon the advice and guidance from Survey), Philippa Ryan (The IET), ATEP and EAB when making decisions. Richard Murray (Innovate UK)
OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE Professor Kai Bongs QT Hub Director From lab to market: the road map to portable UK Quantum Technology Hub compact sensor devices for Sensors and Metrology E: [email protected] We already work with commercial partners from a range of industries T: +44 (0)121 414 8278 such as oil, gas and mineral exploration; civil engineering; rail, road and pipe infrastructure network providers; and defence specialists. We work with large end users to try and deliver application-specific solutions, and with small specialised supply chain companies that enable the devices that the hub designs, tests and builds. These partnerships ensure we develop the right type of technology.
Are you an end user and think you have an application for timing, gravity, magnetism or rotation sensors? Discuss with our team of academics, scientists and engineers. We might be able to fund a feasibility study or even help you build a technology demonstrator. We have a partnership fund to help kick-start collaborative projects.
Max Turner Partnership and Business Engagement Manager UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology E: [email protected] T: +44 (0)121 414 8283 www.birmingham.ac.uk/QTHub
UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology School of Physics and Astronomy University of Birmingham Birmingham B15 2TT www.birmingham.ac.uk/QTHub twitter: @Sensors_QTHub 13046 © University of Birmingham 2016. Printed on a recycled grade paper containing 100% post-consumer waste.