Dr. Joseph Cotter, a researcher at Imperial College London’s Centre for Cold Matter, carries some unique equipment with him when he travels on the London underground. This includes a stainless steel vacuum chamber, billions of rubidium atoms, and an array of lasers used to cool the equipment to near absolute zero temperatures. While this may seem unusual for a tube journey, Cotter is using this gear to develop a quantum compass – a device that leverages the behavior of subatomic particles to accurately determine location.
The aim of this project is to create a new generation of sensors that can work underground and underwater, without relying on global navigation satellite systems like GPS. These current systems are susceptible to weather conditions, jamming, and signal blockages, making them less reliable in certain situations. By utilizing quantum mechanics, the team hopes to create a device that can provide precise location information without external signals, improving accuracy and reliability.
At the core of the quantum compass is an accelerometer that can measure changes in velocity over time, allowing for the calculation of future positions. By supercooling rubidium atoms and observing their quantum behavior, scientists can make accurate measurements to track the movement of the device. While this technology has shown promise in laboratory settings, it needs to be tested in real-world conditions, such as the London underground, to ensure its effectiveness in various environments.
Testing the quantum compass technology in tube train tunnels not only benefits the research team but also has the potential to revolutionize the way locations are tracked underground. By eliminating the need for extensive cabling currently used to monitor train locations, this new technology could streamline operations and improve efficiency for London Underground. Ultimately, the goal is to create a portable device that can be deployed in remote or complex locations, offering a more reliable and accurate alternative to existing GPS systems.
The project, supported by UK Research and Innovation’s Technology Missions Fund and the UK National Quantum Technologies Programme, aims to have a fully functional quantum compass ready for widespread use in the next few years. By harnessing the power of quantum mechanics, researchers like Dr. Cotter are paving the way for innovative solutions to location tracking challenges, with the potential to transform transportation and navigation systems in the future.
