ESCHER - Establishing Supply Chains for Emergent Quantum Computers
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Southampton
Department Name: Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC)
Abstract
A key pillar of the UK National Quantum Technology Programme is the drive towards practical quantum computing devices. This grand challenge, being pursued by commercial and academic institutions globally, has potentially far reaching economic and social implications. The NQIT hub aims to develop networks of trapped ion microprocessors with optical interconnects as a route to fault tolerant quantum computing. The scale of the task for researchers and companies in the field is formidable yet a clear pathway exists for the necessary incremental engineering steps towards this goal. Demonstrations to date have validated the underlying concepts, yet the level of scalability required to deliver, for instance, a universal quantum computer will require groundbreaking developments in quantum hardware engineering. This will inevitably require supply chains to emerge and mature along with the leading developers and researchers in the field.
Currently, the groups pushing the limits of a variety of quantum computing and networking disciplines are reliant on bespoke hardware, not widely available and with a high manufacturing overhead. The market opportunity that the partners seek to address, is to position themselves at the core of the emerging supply chain network for a variety of quantumcomputing and quantum information processing devices. For M Squared Lasers Limited, this market opportunity will begin with key subsystem supply to their existing worldwide customer base, with whom they are already working closely. The long-term opportunity comes from moving towards vertical integration building upon a wide collaborative network and system integration capabilities. Similarly, Covesion Ltd will play a key role in the supply of critical optical components, starting here with nonlinear frequency conversion crystals and waveguide devices for the proposed single photon sources and quantum frequency converters. NQIT is the main research and development effort in the UK pushing quantum computing technologies from the lab to the marketplace. NQIT is therefore ideally placed to work with M Squared Lasers and Covesion on developing a supply chain for quantum computing which meets the advanced engineering demands of this emerging sector.
The current state-of-the-art for the targeted technologies are complex lab-built devices created ad hoc for specific experiments. The partners have relevant experience in the targeted areas and through the proposed formal collaboration can create two new product lines that will find applicability in a variety of quantum computing applications.
This development builds on: existing product lines at M Squared Lasers, namely the Sprite XT ultrafast laser and Ice Bloc modular electronics platform; the PPLN product line at Covesion; existing experience and demonstrations of single photon and quantum frequency converters in the quantum information group at the University of Oxford; lithium niobate waveguide design knowhow from our own group at the University of Southampton, and extensive experience and knowhow relating to stable, low-noise DC drive electronics for addressing scalable ion trap arrays at the Ion QT group at the University of Sussex.
Currently, the groups pushing the limits of a variety of quantum computing and networking disciplines are reliant on bespoke hardware, not widely available and with a high manufacturing overhead. The market opportunity that the partners seek to address, is to position themselves at the core of the emerging supply chain network for a variety of quantumcomputing and quantum information processing devices. For M Squared Lasers Limited, this market opportunity will begin with key subsystem supply to their existing worldwide customer base, with whom they are already working closely. The long-term opportunity comes from moving towards vertical integration building upon a wide collaborative network and system integration capabilities. Similarly, Covesion Ltd will play a key role in the supply of critical optical components, starting here with nonlinear frequency conversion crystals and waveguide devices for the proposed single photon sources and quantum frequency converters. NQIT is the main research and development effort in the UK pushing quantum computing technologies from the lab to the marketplace. NQIT is therefore ideally placed to work with M Squared Lasers and Covesion on developing a supply chain for quantum computing which meets the advanced engineering demands of this emerging sector.
The current state-of-the-art for the targeted technologies are complex lab-built devices created ad hoc for specific experiments. The partners have relevant experience in the targeted areas and through the proposed formal collaboration can create two new product lines that will find applicability in a variety of quantum computing applications.
This development builds on: existing product lines at M Squared Lasers, namely the Sprite XT ultrafast laser and Ice Bloc modular electronics platform; the PPLN product line at Covesion; existing experience and demonstrations of single photon and quantum frequency converters in the quantum information group at the University of Oxford; lithium niobate waveguide design knowhow from our own group at the University of Southampton, and extensive experience and knowhow relating to stable, low-noise DC drive electronics for addressing scalable ion trap arrays at the Ion QT group at the University of Sussex.
Planned Impact
The impacts of the project will be wide reaching from the outset and will support the establishment of an entirely new industry over the next decade with major economic benefits both up- and downstream. The importance of the establishing supply chains within the UK economy at an early stage in the sector's life cycle is anticipated to be of critical importance to the nation's economic competitiveness in the coming decades. The planned work will help accelerate investment and foster an ecosystem that will be a major contributor to the overall competitiveness of, not only the native quantum computing field, but also the myriad of industries that are well positioned to benefit from future developments. With >30% CAGR the scale of investment and opportunity is extensive. Currently the North American share of this market and the associated supply chains is 49%, whilst the Asia-Pacific region is projected to grow rapidly as the technology and markets mature. The risk for the UK sector is to be left behind or become reliant on imports of critical components and subsystems. This would hinder the development and adoption of UK-built quantum computing technologies. Reinforcing the native supply for systems and applications will increase the impact of the sector on the anticipated outcomes in healthcare, finance, logistics and industrial process optimisation.
As a current supplier to the research sector working on quantum computing, M Squared Lasers has a range of preferred local suppliers of raw materials and components who stand to benefit from the proposed supply chain developments. This will have spillover effects for job creation and security for the suppliers and the local economies within which they are situated. To calibrate the external economic benefits we can evaluate the impact along the value chains that will emerge from the project. The supply chains for the commercial partners' operations, including raw material, components & electronics will see an additional ~40 jobs created upstream from the consortium over 5 years, around 90% of which are UK-based. The establishment of a strong UK supply chain in this area will strengthen the native expertise in this area whilst systems based on components from preferred local suppliers will drive efficiency in the value chain.
Downstream value creation will begin with research usage but soon gain wider reach as outputs are deployed widely within quantum computing and quantum information processing. There are a myriad of social benefits that practical quantum computing could enable over the next decades. The prospects for quantum simulations could be significant for a variety of fields including research-intensive pharmaceutical development. The Tufts Centre for the Study of Drug Developmentcalculates that the average cost of delivering a new drug to the approval stage is $2.6b. This represents a 145% increase on a decade earlier. The opportunity to drastically reduce this figure through complex simulation and reduction of the need for physical development of substances with a high failure rate.
As a current supplier to the research sector working on quantum computing, M Squared Lasers has a range of preferred local suppliers of raw materials and components who stand to benefit from the proposed supply chain developments. This will have spillover effects for job creation and security for the suppliers and the local economies within which they are situated. To calibrate the external economic benefits we can evaluate the impact along the value chains that will emerge from the project. The supply chains for the commercial partners' operations, including raw material, components & electronics will see an additional ~40 jobs created upstream from the consortium over 5 years, around 90% of which are UK-based. The establishment of a strong UK supply chain in this area will strengthen the native expertise in this area whilst systems based on components from preferred local suppliers will drive efficiency in the value chain.
Downstream value creation will begin with research usage but soon gain wider reach as outputs are deployed widely within quantum computing and quantum information processing. There are a myriad of social benefits that practical quantum computing could enable over the next decades. The prospects for quantum simulations could be significant for a variety of fields including research-intensive pharmaceutical development. The Tufts Centre for the Study of Drug Developmentcalculates that the average cost of delivering a new drug to the approval stage is $2.6b. This represents a 145% increase on a decade earlier. The opportunity to drastically reduce this figure through complex simulation and reduction of the need for physical development of substances with a high failure rate.
Organisations
- University of Southampton (Lead Research Organisation)
- M Squared Lasers Ltd (Collaboration)
- Power Photonic Limited (Collaboration)
- Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF STRATHCLYDE (Collaboration)
- INEX Microtechnology (Collaboration)
- TÜV Nord Group (Collaboration)
- Gooch & Housego (Collaboration)
- Uniklasers Ltd (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- ColdQuanta (Collaboration)
- University of Sussex (Collaboration)
- Covesion Ltd (Collaboration)
- Caledonian Photonics Limited (Collaboration)
- PHOTON FORCE LTD (Collaboration)
- AegiQ (Collaboration)
- RedWave Labs Ltd (Collaboration)
Publications
Carpenter LG
(2020)
CW demonstration of SHG spectral narrowing in a PPLN waveguide generating 2.5 W at 780 nm.
in Optics express
Carpenter L
(2017)
Ductile dicing of LiNbO 3 ridge waveguide facets to achieve 0.29 nm surface roughness in single process step
in Electronics Letters
Gray A
(2020)
Investigation of PPLN Waveguide Uniformity via Second Harmonic Generation Spectra
in IEEE Photonics Technology Letters
Prabhakar S
(2020)
Two-photon quantum interference and entanglement at 2.1 µm.
in Science advances
Wright T
(2018)
Two-Way Photonic Interface for Linking the Sr + Transition at 422 nm to the Telecommunication C Band
in Physical Review Applied
Description | This award has enabled us to investigate and develop new manufacturing techniques for optical crystals and packaging. Specifically, we have developed a low-cost, scalable process for manufacture of nonlinear optical crystals that are able to efficiently change the wavelength (colour) of lasers. |
Exploitation Route | The processes developed by the University of Southampton under ESCHER were transferred to Covesion Ltd via our 2-year Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP11034) which started in November 2018. Through this KTP wel introduced new products and services; Covesion are the only manufacturer of these nonlinear crystal components in Europe and the findings of ESCHER have improve the company's ability to compete worldwide. |
Sectors | Aerospace Defence and Marine Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education Other |
URL | http://www.covesion.com |
Description | Designs and manufacturing processes for optical waveguides in periodically poled lithium niobate have been transferred to Covesion Ltd. (originally a spin-out from the University of Southampton); this new technology has formed the basis of additional product lines for the company. Covesion have sold these new products to multiple customers and used the information developed by Southampton to build a narrative for investment and new grant proposals to help accelerate the development of our academic results towards higher value products. |
Sector | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Education,Other |
Impact Types | Economic |
Description | Commercialising quantum devices: Pioneer Gravity |
Amount | £6,005,395 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 104613 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2018 |
End | 03/2021 |
Description | ESCHER - Establishing Supply Chains for Emergent Quantum Computers |
Amount | £150,621 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/R041636/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 03/2019 |
Description | Knowledge Transfer Partnership |
Amount | £144,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 11034 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2018 |
Description | Mid-IR Upconversion Single-photon detection (MIRUS) |
Amount | £386,943 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 133994 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2020 |
End | 12/2021 |
Description | Research Chair |
Amount | £428,225 (GBP) |
Funding ID | RCSRF1718639 |
Organisation | Royal Academy of Engineering |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2018 |
End | 02/2023 |
Description | Space-certified Nonlinear Optics for Rugged Quantum Lasers (SNORQL) |
Amount | £384,556 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 133980 |
Organisation | Innovate UK |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2020 |
End | 09/2021 |
Description | ESCHER |
Organisation | Covesion Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | ESCHER is a collaborative research and development programme in the field of quantum computing. Our aim is to develop supply chains for critical components and subsystems used for emerging quantum information technology devices and applications. The planned outcomes are primarily aligned with the quantum computing segment of the UK's roadmap for quantum technologies. In this project, the University of Southampton are developing nonlinear optical waveguide devices to generate single photons with tailored spectral characteristics for use in quantum experiments as a building block towards future quantum computers. |
Collaborator Contribution | ESCHER is an Innovate UK funded collaborative research project. MSquared Lasers are project leaders and responsible for the design and build of ESCHER pump lasers. Covesion provide expertise in nonlinear optical crystals and optical packaging. Oxford University are performing quantum optical experiments using single photons generated via the lasers supplied by MSquared Lasers and the PPLN waveguides developed by Covesion and the University of Southampton. The University of Sussex are providing expertise in ion traps and control electronics. |
Impact | Commercialisation of PPLN waveguides via spin-out Covesion Ltd. Publications and further funding: see associated sections of the project form. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | ESCHER |
Organisation | M Squared Lasers Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | ESCHER is a collaborative research and development programme in the field of quantum computing. Our aim is to develop supply chains for critical components and subsystems used for emerging quantum information technology devices and applications. The planned outcomes are primarily aligned with the quantum computing segment of the UK's roadmap for quantum technologies. In this project, the University of Southampton are developing nonlinear optical waveguide devices to generate single photons with tailored spectral characteristics for use in quantum experiments as a building block towards future quantum computers. |
Collaborator Contribution | ESCHER is an Innovate UK funded collaborative research project. MSquared Lasers are project leaders and responsible for the design and build of ESCHER pump lasers. Covesion provide expertise in nonlinear optical crystals and optical packaging. Oxford University are performing quantum optical experiments using single photons generated via the lasers supplied by MSquared Lasers and the PPLN waveguides developed by Covesion and the University of Southampton. The University of Sussex are providing expertise in ion traps and control electronics. |
Impact | Commercialisation of PPLN waveguides via spin-out Covesion Ltd. Publications and further funding: see associated sections of the project form. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | ESCHER |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | ESCHER is a collaborative research and development programme in the field of quantum computing. Our aim is to develop supply chains for critical components and subsystems used for emerging quantum information technology devices and applications. The planned outcomes are primarily aligned with the quantum computing segment of the UK's roadmap for quantum technologies. In this project, the University of Southampton are developing nonlinear optical waveguide devices to generate single photons with tailored spectral characteristics for use in quantum experiments as a building block towards future quantum computers. |
Collaborator Contribution | ESCHER is an Innovate UK funded collaborative research project. MSquared Lasers are project leaders and responsible for the design and build of ESCHER pump lasers. Covesion provide expertise in nonlinear optical crystals and optical packaging. Oxford University are performing quantum optical experiments using single photons generated via the lasers supplied by MSquared Lasers and the PPLN waveguides developed by Covesion and the University of Southampton. The University of Sussex are providing expertise in ion traps and control electronics. |
Impact | Commercialisation of PPLN waveguides via spin-out Covesion Ltd. Publications and further funding: see associated sections of the project form. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | ESCHER |
Organisation | University of Sussex |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | ESCHER is a collaborative research and development programme in the field of quantum computing. Our aim is to develop supply chains for critical components and subsystems used for emerging quantum information technology devices and applications. The planned outcomes are primarily aligned with the quantum computing segment of the UK's roadmap for quantum technologies. In this project, the University of Southampton are developing nonlinear optical waveguide devices to generate single photons with tailored spectral characteristics for use in quantum experiments as a building block towards future quantum computers. |
Collaborator Contribution | ESCHER is an Innovate UK funded collaborative research project. MSquared Lasers are project leaders and responsible for the design and build of ESCHER pump lasers. Covesion provide expertise in nonlinear optical crystals and optical packaging. Oxford University are performing quantum optical experiments using single photons generated via the lasers supplied by MSquared Lasers and the PPLN waveguides developed by Covesion and the University of Southampton. The University of Sussex are providing expertise in ion traps and control electronics. |
Impact | Commercialisation of PPLN waveguides via spin-out Covesion Ltd. Publications and further funding: see associated sections of the project form. |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | QT Assemble |
Organisation | AegiQ |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | QT Assemble is a £9m Innovate UK Collaborative R&D Quantum Technologies project. The project focuses on the development and integration of photonics components for use in quantum technologies, with a particular focus on miniaturisation and standardisation. My group at the University of Southampton have a £758k budget to develop processes for the manufacture of nonlinear optical waveguides for wavelength conversion of standard telecoms lasers to atom / ion trap specific wavelengths, diffractive elements to enable fiberised beam delivery of these lasers into the atom trap, and ultra-precision machining processes to fabricate miniaturised vacuum cells as a basis for the atom traps themselves. |
Collaborator Contribution | QT Assemble is a large £9m Innovate UK consortium project led by Fraunhofer UK. Each of the commercial partners listed above brings specific photonics technology and / or optical packaging experience to the project. For example; Covesion provide wavelength conversion materials, ColdQuanta are atom trap specialists, Alter UK are optical packaging specialists, Gooch & Housego are system integrators, Photon Force develop single photon detectors, UnikLasers provide speciality wavelength lasers, AegiQ are specialist quantum systems, RedWave labs provide photonics and electronics integration. Together the consortium are targeting several demonstrator platforms for miniaturised integrated optical components for use in quantum technologies, supported by our academic capabilities at Southampton and Strathclyde, |
Impact | The project has just started. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | QT Assemble |
Organisation | Caledonian Photonics Limited |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | QT Assemble is a £9m Innovate UK Collaborative R&D Quantum Technologies project. The project focuses on the development and integration of photonics components for use in quantum technologies, with a particular focus on miniaturisation and standardisation. My group at the University of Southampton have a £758k budget to develop processes for the manufacture of nonlinear optical waveguides for wavelength conversion of standard telecoms lasers to atom / ion trap specific wavelengths, diffractive elements to enable fiberised beam delivery of these lasers into the atom trap, and ultra-precision machining processes to fabricate miniaturised vacuum cells as a basis for the atom traps themselves. |
Collaborator Contribution | QT Assemble is a large £9m Innovate UK consortium project led by Fraunhofer UK. Each of the commercial partners listed above brings specific photonics technology and / or optical packaging experience to the project. For example; Covesion provide wavelength conversion materials, ColdQuanta are atom trap specialists, Alter UK are optical packaging specialists, Gooch & Housego are system integrators, Photon Force develop single photon detectors, UnikLasers provide speciality wavelength lasers, AegiQ are specialist quantum systems, RedWave labs provide photonics and electronics integration. Together the consortium are targeting several demonstrator platforms for miniaturised integrated optical components for use in quantum technologies, supported by our academic capabilities at Southampton and Strathclyde, |
Impact | The project has just started. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | QT Assemble |
Organisation | ColdQuanta |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | QT Assemble is a £9m Innovate UK Collaborative R&D Quantum Technologies project. The project focuses on the development and integration of photonics components for use in quantum technologies, with a particular focus on miniaturisation and standardisation. My group at the University of Southampton have a £758k budget to develop processes for the manufacture of nonlinear optical waveguides for wavelength conversion of standard telecoms lasers to atom / ion trap specific wavelengths, diffractive elements to enable fiberised beam delivery of these lasers into the atom trap, and ultra-precision machining processes to fabricate miniaturised vacuum cells as a basis for the atom traps themselves. |
Collaborator Contribution | QT Assemble is a large £9m Innovate UK consortium project led by Fraunhofer UK. Each of the commercial partners listed above brings specific photonics technology and / or optical packaging experience to the project. For example; Covesion provide wavelength conversion materials, ColdQuanta are atom trap specialists, Alter UK are optical packaging specialists, Gooch & Housego are system integrators, Photon Force develop single photon detectors, UnikLasers provide speciality wavelength lasers, AegiQ are specialist quantum systems, RedWave labs provide photonics and electronics integration. Together the consortium are targeting several demonstrator platforms for miniaturised integrated optical components for use in quantum technologies, supported by our academic capabilities at Southampton and Strathclyde, |
Impact | The project has just started. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | QT Assemble |
Organisation | Covesion Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | QT Assemble is a £9m Innovate UK Collaborative R&D Quantum Technologies project. The project focuses on the development and integration of photonics components for use in quantum technologies, with a particular focus on miniaturisation and standardisation. My group at the University of Southampton have a £758k budget to develop processes for the manufacture of nonlinear optical waveguides for wavelength conversion of standard telecoms lasers to atom / ion trap specific wavelengths, diffractive elements to enable fiberised beam delivery of these lasers into the atom trap, and ultra-precision machining processes to fabricate miniaturised vacuum cells as a basis for the atom traps themselves. |
Collaborator Contribution | QT Assemble is a large £9m Innovate UK consortium project led by Fraunhofer UK. Each of the commercial partners listed above brings specific photonics technology and / or optical packaging experience to the project. For example; Covesion provide wavelength conversion materials, ColdQuanta are atom trap specialists, Alter UK are optical packaging specialists, Gooch & Housego are system integrators, Photon Force develop single photon detectors, UnikLasers provide speciality wavelength lasers, AegiQ are specialist quantum systems, RedWave labs provide photonics and electronics integration. Together the consortium are targeting several demonstrator platforms for miniaturised integrated optical components for use in quantum technologies, supported by our academic capabilities at Southampton and Strathclyde, |
Impact | The project has just started. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | QT Assemble |
Organisation | Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | QT Assemble is a £9m Innovate UK Collaborative R&D Quantum Technologies project. The project focuses on the development and integration of photonics components for use in quantum technologies, with a particular focus on miniaturisation and standardisation. My group at the University of Southampton have a £758k budget to develop processes for the manufacture of nonlinear optical waveguides for wavelength conversion of standard telecoms lasers to atom / ion trap specific wavelengths, diffractive elements to enable fiberised beam delivery of these lasers into the atom trap, and ultra-precision machining processes to fabricate miniaturised vacuum cells as a basis for the atom traps themselves. |
Collaborator Contribution | QT Assemble is a large £9m Innovate UK consortium project led by Fraunhofer UK. Each of the commercial partners listed above brings specific photonics technology and / or optical packaging experience to the project. For example; Covesion provide wavelength conversion materials, ColdQuanta are atom trap specialists, Alter UK are optical packaging specialists, Gooch & Housego are system integrators, Photon Force develop single photon detectors, UnikLasers provide speciality wavelength lasers, AegiQ are specialist quantum systems, RedWave labs provide photonics and electronics integration. Together the consortium are targeting several demonstrator platforms for miniaturised integrated optical components for use in quantum technologies, supported by our academic capabilities at Southampton and Strathclyde, |
Impact | The project has just started. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | QT Assemble |
Organisation | Gooch & Housego |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | QT Assemble is a £9m Innovate UK Collaborative R&D Quantum Technologies project. The project focuses on the development and integration of photonics components for use in quantum technologies, with a particular focus on miniaturisation and standardisation. My group at the University of Southampton have a £758k budget to develop processes for the manufacture of nonlinear optical waveguides for wavelength conversion of standard telecoms lasers to atom / ion trap specific wavelengths, diffractive elements to enable fiberised beam delivery of these lasers into the atom trap, and ultra-precision machining processes to fabricate miniaturised vacuum cells as a basis for the atom traps themselves. |
Collaborator Contribution | QT Assemble is a large £9m Innovate UK consortium project led by Fraunhofer UK. Each of the commercial partners listed above brings specific photonics technology and / or optical packaging experience to the project. For example; Covesion provide wavelength conversion materials, ColdQuanta are atom trap specialists, Alter UK are optical packaging specialists, Gooch & Housego are system integrators, Photon Force develop single photon detectors, UnikLasers provide speciality wavelength lasers, AegiQ are specialist quantum systems, RedWave labs provide photonics and electronics integration. Together the consortium are targeting several demonstrator platforms for miniaturised integrated optical components for use in quantum technologies, supported by our academic capabilities at Southampton and Strathclyde, |
Impact | The project has just started. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | QT Assemble |
Organisation | INEX Microtechnology |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | QT Assemble is a £9m Innovate UK Collaborative R&D Quantum Technologies project. The project focuses on the development and integration of photonics components for use in quantum technologies, with a particular focus on miniaturisation and standardisation. My group at the University of Southampton have a £758k budget to develop processes for the manufacture of nonlinear optical waveguides for wavelength conversion of standard telecoms lasers to atom / ion trap specific wavelengths, diffractive elements to enable fiberised beam delivery of these lasers into the atom trap, and ultra-precision machining processes to fabricate miniaturised vacuum cells as a basis for the atom traps themselves. |
Collaborator Contribution | QT Assemble is a large £9m Innovate UK consortium project led by Fraunhofer UK. Each of the commercial partners listed above brings specific photonics technology and / or optical packaging experience to the project. For example; Covesion provide wavelength conversion materials, ColdQuanta are atom trap specialists, Alter UK are optical packaging specialists, Gooch & Housego are system integrators, Photon Force develop single photon detectors, UnikLasers provide speciality wavelength lasers, AegiQ are specialist quantum systems, RedWave labs provide photonics and electronics integration. Together the consortium are targeting several demonstrator platforms for miniaturised integrated optical components for use in quantum technologies, supported by our academic capabilities at Southampton and Strathclyde, |
Impact | The project has just started. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | QT Assemble |
Organisation | Photon Force Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | QT Assemble is a £9m Innovate UK Collaborative R&D Quantum Technologies project. The project focuses on the development and integration of photonics components for use in quantum technologies, with a particular focus on miniaturisation and standardisation. My group at the University of Southampton have a £758k budget to develop processes for the manufacture of nonlinear optical waveguides for wavelength conversion of standard telecoms lasers to atom / ion trap specific wavelengths, diffractive elements to enable fiberised beam delivery of these lasers into the atom trap, and ultra-precision machining processes to fabricate miniaturised vacuum cells as a basis for the atom traps themselves. |
Collaborator Contribution | QT Assemble is a large £9m Innovate UK consortium project led by Fraunhofer UK. Each of the commercial partners listed above brings specific photonics technology and / or optical packaging experience to the project. For example; Covesion provide wavelength conversion materials, ColdQuanta are atom trap specialists, Alter UK are optical packaging specialists, Gooch & Housego are system integrators, Photon Force develop single photon detectors, UnikLasers provide speciality wavelength lasers, AegiQ are specialist quantum systems, RedWave labs provide photonics and electronics integration. Together the consortium are targeting several demonstrator platforms for miniaturised integrated optical components for use in quantum technologies, supported by our academic capabilities at Southampton and Strathclyde, |
Impact | The project has just started. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | QT Assemble |
Organisation | Power Photonic Limited |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | QT Assemble is a £9m Innovate UK Collaborative R&D Quantum Technologies project. The project focuses on the development and integration of photonics components for use in quantum technologies, with a particular focus on miniaturisation and standardisation. My group at the University of Southampton have a £758k budget to develop processes for the manufacture of nonlinear optical waveguides for wavelength conversion of standard telecoms lasers to atom / ion trap specific wavelengths, diffractive elements to enable fiberised beam delivery of these lasers into the atom trap, and ultra-precision machining processes to fabricate miniaturised vacuum cells as a basis for the atom traps themselves. |
Collaborator Contribution | QT Assemble is a large £9m Innovate UK consortium project led by Fraunhofer UK. Each of the commercial partners listed above brings specific photonics technology and / or optical packaging experience to the project. For example; Covesion provide wavelength conversion materials, ColdQuanta are atom trap specialists, Alter UK are optical packaging specialists, Gooch & Housego are system integrators, Photon Force develop single photon detectors, UnikLasers provide speciality wavelength lasers, AegiQ are specialist quantum systems, RedWave labs provide photonics and electronics integration. Together the consortium are targeting several demonstrator platforms for miniaturised integrated optical components for use in quantum technologies, supported by our academic capabilities at Southampton and Strathclyde, |
Impact | The project has just started. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | QT Assemble |
Organisation | RedWave Labs Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | QT Assemble is a £9m Innovate UK Collaborative R&D Quantum Technologies project. The project focuses on the development and integration of photonics components for use in quantum technologies, with a particular focus on miniaturisation and standardisation. My group at the University of Southampton have a £758k budget to develop processes for the manufacture of nonlinear optical waveguides for wavelength conversion of standard telecoms lasers to atom / ion trap specific wavelengths, diffractive elements to enable fiberised beam delivery of these lasers into the atom trap, and ultra-precision machining processes to fabricate miniaturised vacuum cells as a basis for the atom traps themselves. |
Collaborator Contribution | QT Assemble is a large £9m Innovate UK consortium project led by Fraunhofer UK. Each of the commercial partners listed above brings specific photonics technology and / or optical packaging experience to the project. For example; Covesion provide wavelength conversion materials, ColdQuanta are atom trap specialists, Alter UK are optical packaging specialists, Gooch & Housego are system integrators, Photon Force develop single photon detectors, UnikLasers provide speciality wavelength lasers, AegiQ are specialist quantum systems, RedWave labs provide photonics and electronics integration. Together the consortium are targeting several demonstrator platforms for miniaturised integrated optical components for use in quantum technologies, supported by our academic capabilities at Southampton and Strathclyde, |
Impact | The project has just started. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | QT Assemble |
Organisation | TÜV Nord Group |
Department | Alter Technology TUV Nord UK Limited |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | QT Assemble is a £9m Innovate UK Collaborative R&D Quantum Technologies project. The project focuses on the development and integration of photonics components for use in quantum technologies, with a particular focus on miniaturisation and standardisation. My group at the University of Southampton have a £758k budget to develop processes for the manufacture of nonlinear optical waveguides for wavelength conversion of standard telecoms lasers to atom / ion trap specific wavelengths, diffractive elements to enable fiberised beam delivery of these lasers into the atom trap, and ultra-precision machining processes to fabricate miniaturised vacuum cells as a basis for the atom traps themselves. |
Collaborator Contribution | QT Assemble is a large £9m Innovate UK consortium project led by Fraunhofer UK. Each of the commercial partners listed above brings specific photonics technology and / or optical packaging experience to the project. For example; Covesion provide wavelength conversion materials, ColdQuanta are atom trap specialists, Alter UK are optical packaging specialists, Gooch & Housego are system integrators, Photon Force develop single photon detectors, UnikLasers provide speciality wavelength lasers, AegiQ are specialist quantum systems, RedWave labs provide photonics and electronics integration. Together the consortium are targeting several demonstrator platforms for miniaturised integrated optical components for use in quantum technologies, supported by our academic capabilities at Southampton and Strathclyde, |
Impact | The project has just started. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | QT Assemble |
Organisation | Uniklasers Ltd |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | QT Assemble is a £9m Innovate UK Collaborative R&D Quantum Technologies project. The project focuses on the development and integration of photonics components for use in quantum technologies, with a particular focus on miniaturisation and standardisation. My group at the University of Southampton have a £758k budget to develop processes for the manufacture of nonlinear optical waveguides for wavelength conversion of standard telecoms lasers to atom / ion trap specific wavelengths, diffractive elements to enable fiberised beam delivery of these lasers into the atom trap, and ultra-precision machining processes to fabricate miniaturised vacuum cells as a basis for the atom traps themselves. |
Collaborator Contribution | QT Assemble is a large £9m Innovate UK consortium project led by Fraunhofer UK. Each of the commercial partners listed above brings specific photonics technology and / or optical packaging experience to the project. For example; Covesion provide wavelength conversion materials, ColdQuanta are atom trap specialists, Alter UK are optical packaging specialists, Gooch & Housego are system integrators, Photon Force develop single photon detectors, UnikLasers provide speciality wavelength lasers, AegiQ are specialist quantum systems, RedWave labs provide photonics and electronics integration. Together the consortium are targeting several demonstrator platforms for miniaturised integrated optical components for use in quantum technologies, supported by our academic capabilities at Southampton and Strathclyde, |
Impact | The project has just started. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | QT Assemble |
Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | QT Assemble is a £9m Innovate UK Collaborative R&D Quantum Technologies project. The project focuses on the development and integration of photonics components for use in quantum technologies, with a particular focus on miniaturisation and standardisation. My group at the University of Southampton have a £758k budget to develop processes for the manufacture of nonlinear optical waveguides for wavelength conversion of standard telecoms lasers to atom / ion trap specific wavelengths, diffractive elements to enable fiberised beam delivery of these lasers into the atom trap, and ultra-precision machining processes to fabricate miniaturised vacuum cells as a basis for the atom traps themselves. |
Collaborator Contribution | QT Assemble is a large £9m Innovate UK consortium project led by Fraunhofer UK. Each of the commercial partners listed above brings specific photonics technology and / or optical packaging experience to the project. For example; Covesion provide wavelength conversion materials, ColdQuanta are atom trap specialists, Alter UK are optical packaging specialists, Gooch & Housego are system integrators, Photon Force develop single photon detectors, UnikLasers provide speciality wavelength lasers, AegiQ are specialist quantum systems, RedWave labs provide photonics and electronics integration. Together the consortium are targeting several demonstrator platforms for miniaturised integrated optical components for use in quantum technologies, supported by our academic capabilities at Southampton and Strathclyde, |
Impact | The project has just started. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Title | PPLN Waveguides for Watt-Level Power Operation |
Description | Manufacturing process for PPLN waveguides capable of operating at >1W power levels, with demonstration of 2W pump at 1560nm to generate 1W second harmonic at 780nm. |
IP Reference | GB1908764.2 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2019 |
Licensed | Yes |
Impact | Manufacturing patent has been licensed to Covesion Ltd; Covesion introduced PPLN waveguides as a new product in June 2019. |
Company Name | Covesion |
Description | Covesion manufactures non-linear crystals, specialising in periodically poled lithium niobate, with applications in research, laser systems and equipment manufacturing. |
Year Established | 2007 |
Impact | Covesion has participated in several projects supported by Innovate UK; HELPS (K2515A), CFC-FREE (AF014L), MATRIX (56273), QWISPS (131877), QWISPS-2 (102668), CASPA (102805), ESCHER (104000), PEPE (3729), and three Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (8758, 9534, 11034). Covesion have commercialised the results of these projects and collaborations with the University of Southampton. There are currently 2 full time scientific/engineering posts within Covesion. |
Website | http://www.covesion.com |
Description | Innovation South Showcase on 27th March 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | The Innovation South Launch Event recognises that businesses innovation is the implementation of new ideas, creating dynamic products or improving existing services. Innovation can be a catalyst for the growth and success of your business, and help you to adapt and grow in a global marketplace. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | NATO SET-267 on advanced mid-infrared technology on 21-22nd October 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | NATO workshop on the development of mid-IR lasers for applications in defence and security. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | National Quantum Technology Showcase on 11th November 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Exhibitor - showcasing prototype wavelength conversion devices for generating 780nm laser wavelengths as a component for Rubidium atom traps. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | National Quantum Technology Showcase on 15th November 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
Results and Impact | Exhibitor - demonstration of PPLN waveguides & quantum optical components. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Photonics Hub Industry Day at the University of Southampton on 20th September 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Departmental open day. Trade Show event and lab tours for visitors from industry. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Quantum Space Technology Workshop on 27th September 2019 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Community meeting led by RAL Space as part of the QTX-3 conference. Workshop to discuss development of quantum technologies for use in space applications. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |