MOD/CSA Quantum Technology Programme A Disruptive Technology for the 21 st Century Birmingham Hub in Sensors and Metrology, Partner Event Stephen Till (sjtill@taz.dstl.gov.uk) Gareth Brown & Suzie Abbs 14 th June 2016 Unless otherwise indicated, all images are in the public domain (Clip Art / Wiki Commons) Crown copyright 2016 Dstl
Background 2013: Dstl identified emerging technology areas for MOD which have the potential for disruptive advantage to UK Defence & Security One was new quantum physics especially related to future quantum sensors Precision navigation and timing CDE call funded 8 projects developing concepts for timing and inertial sensing 2014: A reorganised MOD/CSA programme focused part of the R&D funding on Disruptive Capability Development including Quantum CDE projects were pulled through into 4 applied physics research projects to develop quantum enabled portable atomic clocks, accelerometers and gyros A portfolio of PhD projects underpins these projects as well as exploring novel sensing concepts for possible future funding 2013 2014: Dstl worked closely with academia, industry and OGDs to realise the current National Quantum Technology Programme The MOD/CSA programme is an integral part of the national effort Total value of combined programmes ~ 350 million, to be rebid soon Crown copyright 2016 Dstl
MOD/CSA DisCap Quantum Programme Tight focus on near-to-mid-term benefit from quantum sensors working closely with The University of Birmingham, Imperial College, NPL & industry Two programmes: Gravity Imager & Quantum Navigator 1. Gravity Imager: array of gravity gradiometers which use cold atom interferometry to measure gravity gradient across a region of space. Data inversion reconstructs density distribution creating gravity field. 2. Quantum Navigator: development of the component sensors that comprise a navigator system - quantum clocks, accelerometers and gyros. 3. Demonstrators at TRL4 5 by 2019 Various components to be demonstrated at TRL 4 from June 2016 onwards Clock, gravimeter, gravity gradiometer, accelerometer,... Underpinning enabling technology programme
Gravity sensing capabilities by 2035 Gravity mapping for civil engineering or archaelogy Detection of subterranean bunkers and tunnels Detection of fissile materials Navigation by map matching or element of Quantum Navigator Detection of plant and machinery Detection of non-spherical submerged objects mines, submarines, wrecks
Quantum Inertial Navigator (QINS) GPS is pervasive in systems Current INS in error by ~1 nm / 24 hrs if GPS unavailable Quantum INS expected to deliver ~1000x improvement Three components: 1. Timing sensors Portable atomic clocks very small SWAP 2. Acceleration sensors speed and position Matter wave accelerometers 3-5 orders of magnitude improvement over classical 3. Rotation sensors heading Matter wave gyros 2-4 orders of magnitude improvement over classical Components (except clocks) at TRL 4 by 2019 Navigator extremely challenging Additional programme required to develop Technology Demonstrator Programme at TRL 4 5 by 2025 Data fusion especially gravity key to successful INS Navstar-2F GPS satellite Experimental cold atom system ( Bham University, with permission) Matter wave interferometry
Approach to quantum technology development Where possible MOD seeks to adapt and adopt COTS technologies Targeted R&D investment in some cases, eg. insufficient capability in the industrial base, particular advantage to defence and security Prepared to accept high risk technology development Government departments required to contribute to UK wealth creation In Quantum Technology, UK National & MOD requirements align A coherent quantum technology community to give a world-leading position in the emerging bn quantum technology markets MOD: wealth creation and access to COTS technologies This requires building markets and supply chains Dstl supports all the Hub Network 46 PhD students across 16 universities covering enabling technologies, inertial sensors, photonics & systems engineering Dstl supports technology transfer to industry Through the 4 applied physics projects, with IUK and through the new 800 m/ 10yr MOD Innovation Initiative
An example: portable atomic clocks Early adoption by MOD, later wider civilian use Currently at TRL 4 5, TRL 8 9 within 5 years Replacement / resilience of GPS timing signals on military platforms Dstl now patenting an anti-jamming application Seeking novel ways to cross the Valley of Death eg. MOD Innovation Initiative Synchronisation & battle-space management Information activities Artillery Manoeuvre Communications Navigation Sensor subsystem
Portable atomic clocks @ TRL4 before 2019 1. Miniature hollow core fibre Cs clock (NPL) Matchbox size, 1 watt ± one second in 30,000 years (~ 90 ns/day) Demonstrator June 27 th 2016 Chronos consortium developing Rb based clock 1. Trapped Yb + clock (NPL) Teapot size, few watts ± one second in 3,000,000 years (1 ns / day) Demonstrator 2018 2. Sr optical lattice clock (Birmingham University/ NPL) Size of a small suitcase ± one second in a billion years (~ 3 ps / day) Demonstrator 2018 Miniature optical fibre based clock (left image NPL, with permission) Cooled ytterbium ion clock (left image NPL, with permission) Optical lattice clock
Summary UK is developing a quantum technology based industrial base An academia, industry and cross-government effort value ~ 350 m A rebid for the second 5 year tranche of funding for a 10 20 year programme in preparation The 2 nd Quantum revolution is expected to have similar transformative effect to the 1 st The Hubs will provide early demonstrators in quantum sensors, communications, photonic imaging and computing and simulation MOD will be an early adopter in some instances and help drive industrialisation However... much is unknown, more is yet to be discovered (more research imperative) Fuller engagement with NQTP very welcome Email me: sjtill@taz.dstl.gov.uk