Precision timing
Precision timing is another quantum technology, and key research area for QuSIT researchers. Optical clocks rely on the long-lived states within certain atomic species. These clocks are already used to provide exceptionally precise measurement of time – being accurate to better than one second within the age of the universe.
“Precision timing underpins a huge range of applications in our everyday lives, and is relevant across our critical national infrastructure.”, said Holynski. The team is working with the National Physical Laboratory to understand the challenges of networked timing – timing distributed across fibre so that precise time can be shared across the UK.
Research across the Hub is also investigating how precision timing or quantum clocks can improve classical radar. “We are focused on bringing precision timing to a wider range of applications including in complex systems. One key example is enhancing classical radar systems. A radar system works by sending out a wave, which is scattered by objects along its path. By looking at the phase of the returned signal, we can obtain information about those objects. If we can enhance the local oscillator of the radar system using ultra-stable quantum oscillators, we can, in principle, detect smaller features in an environment and improve synchronisation between discrete nodes of a multi-static radar system to improve spatial diversity,” explained Holynski.
With noise reduced, smaller features in the sky are easier to detect, such as locating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) in real-time. “We aim to get to the level of resolution to see a bird inside a flock of birds, and that might provide new information for environmental scientists. We see a lot of interest for use in civil aviation, monitoring of cities, protection of cities, and space-based applications”, he added.