Case study
The need
Atomic clocks have revolutionised timekeeping across the world, and the next generation of optical atomic clocks are poised to provide higher accuracy at a smaller scale, with applications across telecommunications, defence, navigation and finance. A critical component of these optical clocks is the frequency comb, a special type of pulsed laser which acts like mechanical clockwork, converting the high-frequency ‘ticks’ of an optical clock to a low-frequency signal that users can synchronise their own clocks or equipment to.
Vescent are a US-based manufacturer of robust frequency combs (RubriCOMB) for integration in commercial optical clocks. In this scenario, the time between optical comb pulses (i.e. the pulse repetition rate) is stabilised to the optical clock, and this repetition rate is extracted as the synchronisation signal output.
Verifying that the stability and frequency noise on this repetition rate output isn’t contaminated by the comb ‘clockwork’ is challenging, but essential to building confidence in the technology. NPL and Vescent established a collaboration via an International Science Partnership Fund (ISPF) to perform this measurement, advancing NPL’s capability and validating Vescent’s RubriCOMB.
The solution
NPL has established new laboratories at the Institute for Quantum Standards and Technology (IQST) with the explicit purpose of testing externally developed time and frequency hardware. This infrastructure includes a state-of-the-art ultrastable laser with world-leading optical frequency stability, SI-traceable frequency references, commercial optical frequency combs with custom ultralow noise repetition rate outputs, and stabilised fibre links to connect all these systems.
This technology enabled NPL’s and Vescent’s optical frequency combs pulse repetition rates to be stabilised to the same ultrastable laser and distributed over fibre links, so that the comb outputs can be compared to validate comb performance. NPL evaluated the Vescent comb’s output frequency stability, frequency accuracy and phase noise to validate its suitability for incorporation into future optical clock systems.
The Impact
This project provided Vescent with an independent evaluation of RubriCOMB’s performance from a trusted National Metrology Institute (NMI), giving confidence to their commercial partners. The project resulted in the lowest phase noise yet measured from the RubriCOMB, demonstrating its accuracy and strengthening confidence in its potential integration into next-generation optical clocks.
These results could help attract global investment by providing trusted evidence of the high-quality performance of Vescent's technology. The project also supports Vescent's plans to establish a UK presence, with a proposed branch located on NPL's Teddington campus.
NPL and Vescent are excited about where this collaboration could lead, with both parties benefiting from their proximity to each other. If you would like to learn more about this collaboration, or you would like to explore your own ways to work with NPL, please get in touch with us.
What the customer says
The quantum ecosystem needs world leading metrology that is the ultimate arbiter of what actually works. NPL's independent characterisation of Vescent's quantum laser solutions further validates its rigour in product development, with traceable, NMI-grade evidence, giving UK quantum research and industrial Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) partners genuine confidence in subsystem performance and reliability. As Vescent expands into the UK and EU and broadens its local country support and presence, this measurement campaign anchors our international growth in measured facts.
Scott Davis, Co-Founder and CEO - Vescent
About Vescent
Vescent Technologies Inc. is a world-leading manufacturer of foundational quantum tech consisting of frequency combs, optical atomic clocks and timing distribution solutions for leading-edge research and rugged field use, enabling quantum computing and quantum timing based in Colorado, USA.