Aquark Unveils, Details Plans to Develop Cold Atom Clock

Quantum technology company Aquark Technologies has won a £3.4 million (~$4.3 million) contract from Innovate UK to develop its high-performance cold atom clock, which the company calls AQlock. The system will be the U.K.’s first commercially available cold atom clock.

Cold atom clocks measure time using atoms which have been cooled to nearly absolute zero. Aquark’s “super molasses” laser cooling method traps atoms without the use of an applied magnetic field, making the clock more portable, robust, and easier to produce commercially compared with other cold atom clocks.

During a previous Innovate UK-funded project, Aquark successfully proved feasibility of its cold atom clock technology, including technical demonstration of an open-loop clock signal.

Specifically, the AQlock is designed to integrate into existing systems as an accompaniment or augmentation to GNSS-enabled technology. Initial target sectors include telecom, defense, finance, and aviation, according to the company.

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Published: May 2024

Glossary

quantum: The term quantum refers to the fundamental unit or discrete amount of a physical quantity involved in interactions at the atomic and subatomic scales. It originates from quantum theory, a branch of physics that emerged in the early 20th century to explain phenomena observed on very small scales, where classical physics fails to provide accurate explanations. In the context of quantum theory, several key concepts are associated with the term quantum: Quantum mechanics: This is the branch of...
positioning: Positioning generally refers to the determination or identification of the location or placement of an object, person, or entity in a specific space or relative to a reference point. The term is used in various contexts, and the methods for positioning can vary depending on the application. Key aspects of positioning include: Spatial coordinates: Positioning often involves expressing the location of an object in terms of spatial coordinates. These coordinates may include dimensions such as...
atomic clock: An atomic clock is a highly precise timekeeping device that uses the vibrations or oscillations of atoms as a reference for measuring time. The most common type of atomic clock uses the vibrations of atoms, typically cesium or rubidium atoms, to define the length of a second. The principle behind atomic clocks is based on the fundamental properties of atoms, which oscillate at extremely stable and predictable frequencies. The primary concept employed in atomic clocks is the phenomenon of...

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