Compact Quantum Clocks For Precise And Autonomous Position Navigation And Timing

Lead Research Organisation: University of York
Department Name: Electronics

Abstract

Precision timing is essential for accurate navigation and a large variety of civilian commercial and military infrastructure services including both small and large fixed and mobile platforms. These include: space, air, ground and marine vehicles, RADAR, reliable energy supply, safe transport links for air traffic control, network servers for data networks and electronic financial transactions. All of these are critical to the security and stability of the nation as many systems currently rely on large atomic clocks and the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for the timing signal.

The aim of this project is to develop new types of atomic clock which offer enhanced timing in a compact and autonomous form-factor. This work will produce simplified Physics packages which when combined with state-of-the-arts flywheel oscillators produce highly accurate and stable compact atomic clocks. This high level of stability enables systems based on these clocks to operate independently of external sources.
 
Description Collaboration with the National Physical Laboratory as agreed in the original research proposal. 
Organisation National Physical Laboratory
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution 1.a) Discuss progress on York Clocks. 1.b) Discuss the best method to make measurements on the York clocks.
Collaborator Contribution 2.a) Have discussions (at senior level) of potential future collaborations and national requirements for compact clocks with accuracies around100pS to 1nS/day. Discussion of the national requirements for future atomic clocks for autonomous time keeping. 2b) More detailed discussions on how we will measure our clocks at NPL. The current plan is to take the York clocks to NPL. NPL will provide space for equipment and a highly accurate 10MHz signal with very low jitter and very low Allan Deviation (ADEV) and very low phase noise. This will enable us to make both comparative and absolute measurements of the York clocks.
Impact None so far but very close to demonstrating new results.
Start Year 2023
 
Description Atomic Clock Kit for Schools 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Schools
Results and Impact This project is to further develop an atomic clock kit for schools and school teachers to enhance Science and Engineering excitement, capabity and understanding in schools.
So far some prototype modules have been developed and consultations have taken place with the National STEM learning centre, School teachers and Schools in Yorkshire and Outreach groups at the University of York. The aim is to provide a kit to teachers and schools which enable the construction of a working atomic clock with state of the art performance. This kit will enable over 25 experiments in general electronics, optoelectronics, quantum mechanics and control systems. The experiments include, for example, optical spectroscopy of the Alkali metals Rubidium and Caesium using a tiny safe VCSEL Laser; Radio frequency (RF) and microwave signal generation with swept frequency and amplitude control; temperature controllers; magnetic field generation and control; Analogue to Digital and Digital to Analogue signal conversion and simple control loop design. Most aspects are under microprocessor and PC control.
It is hoped that the clocks built from the school kits will encourage schools to get together to try and measure time dilation due to gravity which is around 0.1 Picosecond/Second/Kilometre at the earth's surface. A number of Schools will synchronise their clocks, then take their clocks to different heights over a few days, bring them back together, then measure the time difference.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2024