UK: Teledyne e2v, a Teledyne Technologies company, has won funding that will enable Teledyne e2v and its partners to develop a quantum gravity sensor that can detect tunnels and sinkholes, a quantum miniature atomic clock that will power future 5G networks and ultra-secure quantum communication technology.
Gravity Pioneer, a ground-based quantum gravity sensor
Led by RSK and in partnership with Teledyne e2v, University of Birmingham and Fraunhofer CAP, this project will build a ground-based quantum gravity sensor to detect voids such as sink holes, pipes, oil deposits and mineshafts. Currently, only 30 percent of exploratory bore holes drilled to investigate oil and gas deposits are successful providing a specific application for gravity pioneer in the oil and gas industry. Gravity Pioneer also has the potential to speed up over £13bn of rail track renewal on the UK’s rail network.
KAIROS, a compact caesium atomic clock
Led by Teledyne e2v and in partnership with NPL, Leonardo, Altran, CSC, ICS, HCD Research, Optocap, University of York and Cardiff University, this project will build a compact caesium atomic clock. The applications include critical infrastructure services, such as reliable energy supply, safe transport links, 5G mobile communications, data networks and electronic financial transactions.
3QN, a commercially viable optical ground receiver for satellite quantum key distribution
Led by Arqit in partnership with Teledyne e2v, this project will focus on developing a commercially viable optical ground receiver for satellite quantum key distribution (QKD). This provides a way to share tamper proof encryption keys to guarantee secure communication channels for sensitive information.
Professor Trevor Cross, Chief Technology Officer & Head of Quantum, at Teledyne e2v said: “Winning these awards is a huge endorsement of the skill, effort and commitment of Teledyne e2v’s dedicated team. These quantum projects have the potential to deliver real-world significance.”
