This project will use photonic integrated circuits (PICs) to miniaturise the trapping of cold atoms that can be used for building sensors including atomic clocks, accelerometers and gyroscopes. Cold atom sensors have been demonstrated in laboratories and a few commercially systems. The laboratory systems take up large optics benches and the commercial systems are typically at least 2 washing machines in size. End users state they need far smaller cold atom sensors if they are to be deployed so this project has the aim of develop reduced size, weight, power and cost cold atom sensors. Glasgow has been one of the global pioneers in miniaturising quantum systems onto chip-scale systems. 

The work will use and develop the silicon-nitride photonic technology platform available in the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre at the University of Glasgow. The platform already consists of low loss waveguides at atomic wavelengths (~780 nm)[1], high-Q microring resonators [1], polarisation rotators [2], polarising beamsplitters [2], narrow linewidth lasers [3], phased grating arrays [4] and MEMS vapour cells [5]. The project will develop PICs using red and blue detuned light from atomic transitions to trap, control and guide cold atoms in the evanescent tail of the optical mode close to the waveguide. 

The work will include training to use commercial photonic and process design tools including Lumerical and Synopsys which are key to enable students to work in industry in the future. Students will fabricate chips in the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre (JWNC) beside industrial engineers undertaking commercial work. JWNC is the UK university cleanroom with the highest funding from both UKRI and industry with a global reputation in nanofabrication. No previous cleanroom experience is required and students will be fully trained to use all the equipment in the cleanroom. 

Completed chips will be characterised in laboratories including some of the best equipped high frequency and photonics measurement laboratories in the UK. The work is also aligned to the UK Hub for Quantum Enabled Position, Navigation and Timing and students will be able to attend all the Hub scientific, social and community events many with industry and Government. They will also undertake Quantum Hub skills training in EDI, communications, media, outreach, intellectual property, entrepreneurship, pitching and career building. Finally students will be able to present their work at the major international conferences around the world.