Miniaturised high-reliability lasers for Quantum Technologies

Quantum Technologies have sparked interest in recent years for a wide range of exciting technology demonstrations. One example, the generation and manipulation of laser-cooled atoms, promises to augment the capabilities of atomic clocks, enable precision navigation units capable of operating without GPS support, and boost the sensitivity of magnetometers to allow new insights into brain-function. As a result, the UK government Industrial Strategy identifies Quantum Technologies as a field that will underpin future economic growth for the UK. While these demonstrations have illustrated the exciting potential of Quantum Technologies, it is now time to move the technology out of the lab and into real-world devices. At present, devices are often too large, heavy, power-hungry and expensive for this to be feasible. One of the key enabling technologies behind these applications is the narrow-linewidth laser.

This 4-year EngD project will take packaging techniques developed for the high-reliability, low-cost and volume-sensitive requirements of the telecoms market and apply these techniques to the lasers, optics and modulators required by Quantum Technologies. It will use scalable technology to integrate lasers and optical components at the mm-size scale and below to create compact laser sources with the required frequency and amplitude agility to fulfil the requirement of a cold-atom device. In particular it will integrate optical modulators, switches and microfabricated atomic reference cells using the type of techniques, that the industrial partner has a track record of mastering and bringing to market.

The student will be at the centre of bringing together the various optical technologies, defining the requirements and exploring the methods for integration as well as leading the testing and validation process. The resulting products will be tested by the student in cutting-edge Quantum Technology applications.

Complementing our Pathways to Impact document, here we state the expected real-world impact, which is of course the leading priority for our industrial partners. Their confidence that the proposed CDT will deliver valuable scientific, engineering and commercial impact is emphasized by their overwhelming financial support (£4.38M from industry in the form of cash contributions, and further in-kind support of £5.56M).

Here we summarize what will be the impacts expected from the proposed CDT.

(1) Impact on People
(a) Students
The CDT will have its major impact on the students themselves, by providing them with new understanding, skills and abilities (technical, business, professional), and by enhancing their employability.
(b) The UK public
The engagement planned in the CDT will educate and inform the general public about the high quality science and engineering being pursued by researchers in the CDT, and will also contribute to raising the profile of this mode of doctoral training -- particularly important since the public have limited awareness of the mechanisms through which research scientists are trained.

(2) Impact on Knowledge
New scientific knowledge and engineering know-how will be generated by the CDT. Theses, conference / journal papers and patents will be published to disseminate this knowledge.

(3) Impact on UK industry and economy
UK companies will gain a competitive advantage by using know-how and new techniques generated by CDT researchers.
Companies will also gain from improved recruitment and retention of high quality staff.
Longer term economic impacts will be felt as increased turnover and profitability for companies, and perhaps other impacts such as the generation / segmentation of new markets, and companies receiving inward investment for new products.

(4) Impact on Society
Photonic imaging, sensing and related devices and analytical techniques underpin many of products and services that UK industry markets either to consumers or to other businesses. Reskilling of the workforce with an emphasis on promoting technical leadership is central to EPSRC's Productive Nation prosperity outcome, and our CDT will achieve exactly this through its development of future industrially engaged scientists, engineers and innovators. The impact that these individuals will have on society will be manifested through their contribution to the creation of new products and services that improve the quality of life in sectors like transport, dependable energy networks, security and communications.

Greater internationalisation of the cohort of CDT researchers is expected from some of the CDT activities (e.g. international summer schools), with the potential impact of greater collaboration in the future between the next generations of UK and international researchers.