REMOTE - RuggEd Mirco-ECDL technology for cOld aTom applications in spacE
Lead Research Organisation:
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Department Name: RAL Space
Abstract
The outcome of the project is to develop an optimised 780 nm micro extended cavity diode laser (u-ECDL), which has a linewidth <100 kHz and output power >100 mW.
The u-ECDL module will be compact, rugged and low power consumption, making it suitable for space, low Earth orbit and field applications.
Within this project custom feedback servo loop locking electronics will also be developed, which will be designed and optimised with this end application in mind.
The u-ECDL module will be compact, rugged and low power consumption, making it suitable for space, low Earth orbit and field applications.
Within this project custom feedback servo loop locking electronics will also be developed, which will be designed and optimised with this end application in mind.
Planned Impact
REMOTE will raise the technology readiness level (TRL) of commercial scientific grade lasers and thus it will impact in several ways.
- Contribute to the development of future Space instruments based on optical interrogation of atoms. Examples: Space Optical Clocks, Space Atom interferometers for gravity missions or fundamental science (eg STE-QUEST)
- Contribute to the development of ground based quantum devices that would have an impact in the industries of Civil Engineering(sallow ground surveying), Mineral Prospection, and Secure Communications to name a few.
- In the longer term it might have impact on space industry through the develpment of ultraprecise inertial sensors that would contribute to space craft attitude monitoring and control
- Contribute to the development of future Space instruments based on optical interrogation of atoms. Examples: Space Optical Clocks, Space Atom interferometers for gravity missions or fundamental science (eg STE-QUEST)
- Contribute to the development of ground based quantum devices that would have an impact in the industries of Civil Engineering(sallow ground surveying), Mineral Prospection, and Secure Communications to name a few.
- In the longer term it might have impact on space industry through the develpment of ultraprecise inertial sensors that would contribute to space craft attitude monitoring and control
| Description | RAL Space did test the lasers produced by Optocap (now ALTER Technologies UK) and did verify that they did comply with the specifications set out in the grant proposal. Also, RAL Space did use the lasers to achieve laser cooling and trapping of Rubidium atoms. |
| Exploitation Route | The outcomes of this funding are to be taken forward by the lead organisation of this collaborative grant. RAL Space "only" contributed to certifying that the product did meet the specifications. |
| Sectors | Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Construction,Environment |
| Description | Safire |
| Amount | £327,009 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | 133992 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2020 |
| End | 12/2021 |