Optical Interferometer
What is the technology?
Optical interferometry is a technique using the interference of two electromagnetic waves that can make accurate measurements of displacements. It is a fundamental technology in the traceability chain for length metrology. Almost all length measurements that are traceable will have an optical interferometer measurement somewhere in their traceability chain. Various high level strategic studies of needs for nanoscience have highlighted the need for precision measurements, some of which are interferometry based, to support nanotechnology. Accurate dimensional nanometrology is crucial for determining an object’s location as well as its dimensions and often larger macroscale objects or displacements need to be determined with nanometre accuracy.
NPL has expertise and intellectual property in the areas of opto-mechanical interferometer design for a variety of applications using bespoke interferometer designs, signal collection and processing using hardware and software, application of routines to minimise the effects of mechanical instability, non-linearity and atmospheric fluctuations as well as calculation of measurement uncertainty. NPL Optical Interferometer technologies can achieve positional accuracy at the sub-nanometre level, with a high bandwidth and significantly lower non-linearity than commercial systems.
What are the benefits?
The ever-increasing take up of nanotechnology from the research laboratory into industrial applications will be important for realising the new technologies in critical sectors identified by the UK Government such as semiconductor manufacturing and quantum technologies. In these sectors, accurately and repeatably knowing the position of an object and its dimensions to nanometre and sub-nanometre levels is crucial to enabling next generation fabrication, processing, quality assurance and control.
Who will be interested?
Instrument manufacturers with requirements for ultra-high precision positioning.
Quantum power meter
What is the technology?
This technology delivers accurate power readings in low temperature environments.
Getting an accurate reading for microwave power in cryogenic environments is becoming increasingly important in fields such as quantum computing, quantum sensing and materials research. However, getting an accurate reading of the microwave power delivered to devices at ultralow temperatures can be very challenging and time-consuming. The quantum microwave power meter relates to power sensors for measuring absolute power of microwave signals in cryostats. The invention relates to measurements of the absolute power of propagating monochromatic microwaves in the range of 1 – 20 GHz at temperatures of less than 100 mK with help of a quantum mechanical sensor. It can be applied to calibration coaxial cables and cryogenic devices.
What are the benefits?
To our knowledge, there are no other methods of measuring microwave powers inside at low temperatures inside the dilution refrigerators. The proposed power meter allows you to detect the absolute power using basic principles of quantum mechanics. The quantum microwave power meter means that swift broadband, non-invasive, in-situ measurements of microwave power can be made along any transmission line in cryogenic environments. Its small footprint allows for seamless integration in series with existing microwave circuitry, and when not in use the power meter can be switched off so it does not to impact any of your measurements. This can be done without having to warm up the cryostat or make any changes to the setup.
Who will be interested?
The rise of quantum technologies will require more strict control and manipulation of quantum states. Much of this manipulation is performed using microwaves at cryogenic temperatures. There is an immediate need to develop methods to quantify and calibrate the performance of microwave components and devices at cryogenic temperatures. Today it is not feasible for microwave component manufacturers to calibrate and specify their devices at cryogenic temperatures. Target markets are:
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quantum computing
- developers of quantum superconducting circuitry, superconducting qubits and superconducting quantum processors
- miniaturised microwave components for cryogenic applications
- radioastronomy
- cryogenics
- developers of calibration devices for microwave power at low temperatures
Atomic interferometry
What is the technology?
This technology enables the development of sensitive sensors.
NPL has invented a novel way of conducting interferometry, a measurement method using the phenomenon of interference of waves. It is based on a continuous matter wave beam splitter which allows multiple laser beams to be arranged to form waveguides.
Atomic interferometers are similar to optical interferometers, except they use matter waves instead of optical ones. All interferometers rely on the formation of interference fringes due to interference between partial waves, which propagate along different pathways. The spatial position of the interference fringes depends strongly on relative phases of the interfering partial waves, which makes interferometers very sensitive to different perturbations. Atoms, compared to massless photons, have relatively large mass, so atom interferometers are very sensitive to the gravity, inertial and electromagnetic forces. For that reason, atom interferometers are used now for different inertial quantum sensors, like gravimeters, accelerometers and gyroscopes. Most existing atom interferometers are using laser-cooled atomic clouds, which are free falling in gravity inside vacuum chambers.
At NPL we are working on developing integrated optically guided atomic interferometers, based on all-optical atom chips. Such interferometers should provide compactness of quantum inertial sensors without compromising their sensitivity and accuracy.
What are the benefits?
- The unique waveguide atomic interferometer approach offers significant benefits over competing technologies as it enables extremely sensitive sensors
- It can be engineered into a small sized form factor and is rugged enough for reliable performance outside the laboratory
Who will be interested?
It is inherently suitable for exploitation in a range of products, such as sensors, at an affordable price. For example, transportable precise gravimeters used in civil engineering, geological surveys, earth studies and control of sea levels and climate changes. It can also be used in the application of inertial sensors for inertial navigation of vehicles, especially in absence of other means for navigation.
Microresonator
What is the technology?
It is a novel system that employs telecoms laser light in an all-fibre based optical system. Counter-propagating laser beams are coupled into a microresonator via an integrated tapered fibre. This straightforward configuration allows the manipulation of light in a reproducible and controlled manner through the relative adjustment of the relative power of each beam. This technology enables a number of different applications from optical gyroscopes to chip based spectroscopy and advanced optical sensors.
What are the benefits?
NPL has developed and patented unique microresonator technology which can be used for sensors, accelerometers and spectroscopes.
- A desirable feature for future optical networks is the ability to process information entirely in the optical domain, since optical signal processing is more efficient than electrical signal processing. All-optical flip flops enabled by the microresonator technology are a key component of fast networks and switches as they act as temporary memory elements. NPL’s invention allows for efficient use of optical flip flops.
- It is the size, price and has the power of standard gyroscopes, but has the accuracy of expensive ones. It has the potential to be used in space applications, as well as for navigation where it is very stable. It can be used for cross checking and as a back up for GPS, for example in vehicle navigation.
Who will be interested?
Optical Flip Flop Applications – Integrated photonics and optics diodes
- Telecommunications companies
- Manufacturers of fibre optic cables and equipment
- ;Manufacturers of all-optical devices and computers (optical memories)
- Developers of quantum computing
- Developers of next generation optical clocks
Gyroscope Applications
Optical gyroscope manufacturers
- Space industry
- Specialists in vehicle navigation
Atomic magnetometer
What is the technology?
This technology has the ability to take magnetometers to a new level of sensitivity.
NPL has developed a novel mode of operation of the radio-frequency atomic magnetometer, the so-called spin maser. The mode relies on the spontaneous fluctuations of the atomic spin being optically monitored and the signal from the optical detection fed back to the atomic sample.
The magnetometer emits a radio wave to the object under test. This interacts with the material and generates an eddy current and secondary magnetic field which is picked up by the magnetometer as quantum level changes that are measured optically. This allows the shape of the material to be derived.
What are the benefits?
Standard non-destructive testing and detection of ferromagnetic objects relies on magnetic inductive tomography using atomic magnetometers, but suffers from the radio frequency resonance shifts induced by the tested objects. This means measurements are often less accurate than required. NPL’s spin maser technology solves that problem and enables more accurate measurements with a significant reduction of the image acquisition time.
The higher accuracy, fast acquisition time and non-destructive nature of the testing are all key benefits over current methods and equipment.
Who will be interested?
It has the potential to be used in a wide range of industrial applications including detection of corrosion under insulation, a critical problem for industrial plants, or in medical devices and security applications.
Digital image correlation
What is the technology?
NPL has developed a novel solution to the problem of detecting small differences in images over time. Digital image correlation can show degradation in the assets or patients surveyed by capturing an initial image and this forms the baseline. Then an image can be captured at some point in the future, to show the current state. Comparing one against the other, pixel by pixel, enables changes to be identified with unprecedented accuracy.
Digital image correlation is a unique method of comparison based on advanced algorithms that has the potential to benefit a range of industries requiring regular inspection of changes to status, from railway tunnel inspection and nuclear containment facilities to medical diagnostics. It is a breakthrough in the detection of subtle changes.
What are the benefits?
- Greater accuracy can be achieved by using algorithms to score changes and present the results to an expert to review
- A dramatic reduction in asset inspection time since even aged infrastructure might only change marginally from inspection to inspection, but changes are still very important
- Inspectors can minimise their time in potentially hazardous situations
- The technique could be used in medical applications such as changes in wounds
Thin film characterisation
What is the technology?
This technology enables measurement of electrical characteristics of thin films.
We have developed technology for graphene measurements which means we are able to perform a sheet resistance or equivalently electrical conductivity characterisation of thin graphene and other films with lateral spatial resolution in the range from centimetres down to micrometres allowing us to characterise it.
What are the benefits?
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This unique method is not only applicable to graphene but also other thin conducting films. We plan to offer technical solutions for future roll-to-roll production facility in-line metrology as demand increases. This will enhance productivity and quality control of industrial processes.
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As well as sheet resistance our patent also covers measurement of electrical mobility and carrier concentration in thin conducting films, using an extension of the basic technology with the addition of a magnetic field. This non-contact approach is a unique capability within the UK.
Who will be interested?
This technology will be of interest to anyone working with thin films such as in graphene production.
Synthetic peptide
What is the technology?
SANET is a unique synthetic peptide that NPL has developed that has the potential to be used as an extra cellular membrane (ECM) to provide structural function in cells and aid in tissue growth and repair.
Cells incubated with SANET could be used to create synthetic replacements for current animal derived ECMs, which is important for applications like in vitro drug studies.
What are the benefits?
- More consistent and repeatable
- Less prone to pathogenic invasion
- Produce more robust cultures at higher yields
NPL has filed a patent against our specific sequence.
Who will be interested?
This technology would be of interest to medical companies and researchers currently using extra cellular membranes and wish to have the benefits of synthetic ECMs.
