Prof Douglas Paul from the James Watt School of Engineering has been working in the InnovateUK PROPEL project with Kelvin Nanotechnology, M Squared Lasers, Alter Technology  and the University of Birmingham to develop key components in the supply chain for quantum sensors and miniature atomic clocks.

Glasgow's world leading work in the UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology funded by EPSRC and Dstl developing narrow linewidth DFB lasers at 780 nm fabricated in the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre for quantum technology systems using rubidium cold atoms was translated to Kelvin Nanotechnology in the project. Such 780 nm DFB lasers are an essential component for future rubidium cold atom quantum technology systems for sensing, timing and quantum computing. The project also developed miniature MEMS vacuum cells containing rubidium vapour that have applications in locking lasers to atomic transitions for atomic clocks, quantum sensors and quantum computers based on rubidium cold atoms.

These components are an essential part of the UK supply chain to enable resilient quantum navigators that cannot be jammed or spoofed, quantum gravimeters that can find buried utilities fast to reduce traffic congestion from roadworks and magnetic sensors for mapping human brains to understand diseases such as dementia with an aim to find better treatments.

First published: 12 August 2021

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Semiconductor Device Group

James Watt Nanofabrication Centre

Kelvin Nanotechnology

M Squared Lasers

Alter Technologies

University of Birmingham

UK Quantum Technology Hub for Sensors and Metrology