Many quantum sensors (and some forms of quantum computers) can be achieved using atoms such as rubidium or cesium with exceptional spectral properties. Robust and compact vapour cells containing these atoms can be made relatively cheaply in high volumes creating the possibility of inexpensive and deployable quantum sensors for applications in navigation, precision timing and magnetic field sensing to name just a few. This is the business of our partner Infleqtion. To read such a sensor, you need a very sophisticated laser system (such as those made by MOGLabs) which can be large, fragile and expensive. While well suited for laboratory experiments, these laser systems could not be deployed in applications such as self-driving cars or autonomous robots for advanced manufacturing.

Recently there have been major advances in photonic integrated circuits. Hybrid integration has made it possible to combine the semiconductor materials required for lasers, with waveguide circuits and high-speed modulators to make these lasers precise and tunable - all the functionalities required to read quantum sensors. This project will explore interfacing the semiconductor materials made by Centre Director Solomon and interface them with CI Mitchell's photonic integrated circuit platforms to make an integrated tunable laser that can be used to read Infleqtion's quantum sensors with PI Rabeau. We will coordinate with CI Rubenstein-Dunlop and PI Scholten from MOGLabs to ensure these chips complement high-end laboratory grade quantum lasers and systems, expanding the Australian made quantum sensing ecosystem.