Aquark, Infleqtion trial quantum atomic clock
A UK government lab is trialling an atomic clock built with quantum technology developed by UK startup Aquark Technologies with Infleqtion of the US.
The project, led by the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), aims to develop a quantum atomic clock that can be used for precise positioning in the event of a failure or jamming of the GNSS satellite network. I will also support secure communications systems, such as encrypted military networks, which depend on highly synchronised timekeeping.
This is the first device of its kind to be built in the UK and will be deployable on military operations in the next five years. Aquark in Southampton has previously shown a protype of a cold atom quantum clock and the company is backed by NATO is also backed by the NATO alliance, highlighting the importance of the technology to defence applications.
Infleqtion, formerly Cold Quantum, completed a trail of an airborne precision navigation system with BAE Systems and QinetiQ back in May 2024.
£3.4m project to develop first commercial cold atom quantum clock
Further research will see the technology decrease in size to allow mass manufacturing and miniaturisation for military vehicles and aircraft.
“This first trial of advanced atomic clock represents a significant achievement in the UK’s quantum technology capabilities,” said Paul Hollinshead, CEO of DSTL, of the Demonstration of Advanced Timing Apparatus (DATA) trial. A trial in 2022 saw an atomic clock developed by Teledyne e2v on a UK aircraft carrier.
“The data gathered will not only shape future Defence effort but is also a signal to industry and academia that we are serious about exploring quantum technologies for secure and resilient operational advantage.”
Other partners in the trial include HCD Research and Imperial College London, as well as in-house technology developed at Dstl’s quantum laboratory. These prototype frequency standards were tested in collaboration with the Royal Navy’s Office of the Chief Technical Officer and the Army Futures team at the BattleLab.
“The Navy has been looking at quantum technologies for a number of years and it is exciting to see that the challenges of physics and engineering in this area are now no longer a scientific concept, but is now reaching the cusp of reality,” said Commander Matt Steele, the Future Technology Officer for the Royal Navy’s Office of the Chief Technical Officer,
“In the next few years, the ability to operate effectively, to survive, and to navigate and also to remain lethal with the use of Quantum alongside GPS will secure operational advantage.”
www.aquarktechnologies.com; www.infleqtion.com
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
