Atomic clocks are the hidden-in-plain-sight quantum technology that modern society is reliant upon. Since their invention over 50 years ago, atomic clocks have been applied to an increasing range of applications with demanding requirements on timing and frequency stability. These range from the clocks in GPS satellites, to time-delay enabled earthquake detection, to high-bandwidth telecommunications, to the stability of electrical grids. Moving from microwave to optical clocks provides orders of magnitude improvement in performance. However, the widespread employment of ultracold optical clocks is hindered by two features: their inherent complexity, and the sensitivity to vibrations and accelerations that are counter-intuitively introduced by use of laser-cooled atoms. The former limits the SWAP-C, while the latter effectively precludes the operation of an ultracold optical clock on a moving platform. This project will involve the study of optical atomic clocks, with the goal of demonstrating a compact and accurate atomic sensor. This project will build on the joint expertise at Strathclyde and a the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics to develop a compact atomic clock systems for portable operation, while providing performance beyond the commercial state-of-the-art. Specific areas of expertise to be explored at the construction and development of narrow-linewidth lasers for low-noise interrogation, optimised optical system design for compact optical clocks, maximising the signal-to-noise ratio of background-free detection channels, and a broad exploration of atom-light interactios in atomic gasses. The student will gain knowledge of atom-laser interactions and engineering techniques to bridge the technology gap between lab-based and field-grade devices. Our groups have strong links to NPL, Quantum Technology Hubs, and UK and international collaborators, which will help drive the success of this ambitious experiment Atomic clocks are the hidden-in-plain-sight quantum technology that modern society is reliant upon. Since their invention over 50 years ago, atomic clocks have been applied to an increasing range of applications with demanding requirements on timing and frequency stability. These range from the clocks in GPS satellites, to time-delay enabled earthquake detection, to high-bandwidth telecommunications, to the stability of electrical grids. Moving from microwave to optical clocks provides orders of magnitude improvement in performance. However, the widespread employment of ultracold optical clocks is hindered by two features: their inherent complexity, and the sensitivity to vibrations and accelerations that are counter-intuitively introduced by use of laser-cooled atoms. The former limits the SWAP-C, while the latter effectively precludes the operation of an ultracold optical clock on a moving platform. This project will involve the study of optical atomic clocks, with the goal of demonstrating a compact and accurate atomic sensor. This project will build on the joint expertise at Strathclyde and a the Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics to develop a compact atomic clock systems for portable operation, while providing performance beyond the commercial state-of-the-art. Specific areas of expertise to be explored at the construction and development of narrow-linewidth lasers for low-noise interrogation, optimised optical system design for compact optical clocks, maximising the signal-to-noise ratio of background-free detection channels, and a broad exploration of atom-light interactios in atomic gasses. The student will gain knowledge of atom-laser interactions and engineering techniques to bridge the technology gap between lab-based and field-grade devices. Our groups have strong links to NPL, Quantum Technology Hubs, and UK and international collaborators, which will help drive the success of this ambitious experiment that incorporates atomics, optics, integrated photonics, and real-world applications.