CASE STUDYSynchronising timing
HOWDOES QUANTUM-ENABLED SYNCHRONISED TIMING WORK?
Accurate timekeeping is essential for modern technology, and atomic clocks provide the precision required.
An atomic clock is the most accurate clock that can be made. It measures time using the vibration of atoms.
Every time you use sat-nav or high-speed broadband, you are relying on the precision of ticking of atoms. Since their invention in the 1950’s, atomic clocks, also known as quantum clocks, have been used in an ever-increasing range of applications as the demands of technology increase. These range from the clocks in GNSS (Global Naviation Satellite System), earthquake detection, global trading on the stock market, and maintaining the stability of the national electrical grid.
More advanced atomic clocks could one day make a significant difference in everyday life and fundamental science. Next generation atomic clocks can tick over one hundred trillion times per second, and can be thousands of times more accurate than the current state of the art.
Currently, such optical atomic clocks are massive devices – weighing hundreds of kilograms – which need to be housed within specialised laboratory conditions. The next generation of timing devices will be more compact, portable and lower cost than traditional atomic clocks.
Researchers are developing micro-lasers known as microcombs, which serve as the ‘counter’ for future portable atomic clocks.
Microcombs are the best candidate to miniaturise the next generation of ultraprecise timekeeping. They are made up of evenly spaced laser frequencies that resemble the teeth of a comb and are crucial for optical timekeeping.
Microcombs transfer the precise reference of time to fibre links, which transfer vast amounts of information, which will revolutionise telecommunication networks.
A portable and ultra-accurate time clock is critically needed for the current and next generation of telecommunication (5 and 6G+ and fibre communication), network synchronization and will reduce dependence on Global Positioning System (GPS).
Atomic clocks provide the extremely precise timing that allow communication and navigational systems to remain accurate and synchronised. Atomic clock timing supports power grids, financial networks, telecommunications, and other systems where loss of synchronisation can
cause cascading failures. Our latest developments in precision timing will create systems that will remain trustworthy during GNSS jamming or spoofing.
- Navigation – improving GPS measurements and improving autonomous vehicle navigation
- Geodesy – improving measurements of the Earth’s shape and gravity variations
- Environmental sensing – potential to detect underwater earthquakes and ocean currents
- Communication – synchronizing of high-speed networks
RESEARCH
Researchers worldwide are driving progress in this area with UK universities and industry playing an important role through the EPSRC-funded QEPNT and QUSIT Hubs.
