Critical Technologies Accelerator

The banking sector is becoming increasingly concerned about the security of financial transactions. There is now a drive to develop levels of encryption that cannot be hacked or eavesdropped.  This is where quantum-based technologies have a role to play.  There is a technique called Quantum Key Distribution which is a secure communication method that implements a quantum mechanical cryptographic protocol. It enables two parties to produce a shared random secret key known only to them, which then can be used to encrypt and decrypt messages.

Partners: Sivers, Toshiba, Alter

Objective: Accelerate the development of DFB laser light sources for quantum communications, and in particular for quantum key distribution (QKD) and establish a complete supply chain and manufacturing capability for these devices in Scotland.

Laser light is typically emitted out of the side of a semi-conductor laser device.  PCSEL-based systems emit light out of the top surface. High powers can be extracted from the top surface, making these lPCSEL-based devices suitable for machining application, where high intensity, coherent laser light has high enough energy to cut a range of different materials. Lower powered PCSELs also have the opportunity to be intergrated into next-generation augmented reality and virtual reality headsets.

Partners: Vector Photonics, Alter 

Objective: Accelerate the development of an integrated PCSEL and lens solution as a disruptive solution to address the Additive Manufacturing market.

GPS systems are ubiquitous within society but require a line of sight to multiple satellites. There is now a push to develop alternative navigation systems that provide superior positioning coordinates without the need to receive regular updates from a satellite. These Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) systems make use of extremely accurate atomic clocks. These clocks contain several laser systems. Currently, atomic clocks are the size of a microwave. By integrating nanofabricated lasers system into atomic clocks their overall form factor will decrease. In time the size will decrease to the point that PNT systems can be installed in a wide range of transport vehicles (ferrys, buses, aircraft).

Partners: Sivers, Alter, Infleqtion

Objective: Create a Scottish supply chain for DFB lasers that are a fundamental building block of quantum alternative navigation systems.

Reducing the energy consumption of telecom networks is a vital goal in carbon reduction, sustainability and net zero emission targets. Optical access telecom networks are being deployed at large scale today in the UK to over 25 million homes. However, the future upgrade of these networks to faster speeds necessitates the use of higher energy consumption components and overall increases in energy consumption. Increased energy costs lead to higher prices to deliver broadband and makes it less attractive to deploy in less populated and deprived areas, further widening the digital divide rather than closing it. This project aims to develop low power components (Photonic Integrated Circuits) that can dramatically reduce the energy consumption of future optical access networks.  These devices can also be used to transmit signals over free-space. This is of interest to the defence sector.

Partners: BT, Leonardo

Objective: Develop a PIC platform that combines high speed modulation and switching with low optical losses and polarisation control to be investigated for single photon applications including reduced cost QKD transceivers , the basis for 2D beam scanning and pointing systems.

This project aims to develop reliable and reproducible coherent circuit elements (tunnel junctions, resonators, capacitors, inductors) at wafer-scale for quantum computers. It focuses on cryogenic circuits as a foundry offer and cryogenic electronics based on CMOS. By combining classical and quantum technologies, it addresses the efficiency, stability, and cost of quantum computing systems operating at cryogenic temperatures.

Partners: SeeQC, KNT, NQCC, NPL

Objective: The objective is to make significant progress in establishing a world-leading and sovereign source of superconducting qubits and cryogenic electronics for quantum technology applications.