Compound Semiconductor Integrated Chip-scale Atomic Sensors

Compact and efficient quantum sensors are required for a range of high-precision metrology applications. Miniaturised atomic clocks and gyroscopes which provide accurate Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) are required to mitigate the reliance of critical infrastructures on the global navigation satellite system (GNSS).). As well as providing safe transport; emergency services; operation of secure comms; financial services and energy provisions; terrestrial-based PNT systems has the potential to vastly improve autonomous exploration and sensing within GNSS/GPS-denied harsh environments. Examples include atmospheric monitoring of pollutants, changes in global climate and inspection of remote renewable energy systems. Current solutions to miniaturise atomic sensors relies on co-packaging separately manufactured components including bulk optics, semiconductor lasers and detectors. While many of these components are available 'of the shelf', assembly requires complex optical alignment which is susceptible to disturbance caused by external influences, compromising performance.

This project focusses on developing a compound semiconductor (CS) quantum sensor which integrates 'all III-V' electro-optic components (light source, detector, and beam-conditioning optics, e.g. polarisation converters) onto a common substrate with the ability to monolithically integrate a cell for pump/probe interrogation of alkali metals, such as caesium or rubidium. In addition to reducing energy consumption, a CS integrated platform negates optical losses associated with bulk optics and improves thermal stability.

The student will gain experience of designing and fabricating these CS components which will contribute to a wider activity, developing quantum sensors to solve real-world problems. It will be a unique opportunity to work with two complementary industry sponsors; CSC for the creation of epitaxial material and the National Physics Lab where the student will be trained to carry out testing within their facility.