A quantum-classical cold atom system for inertial navigation

Paul Griffin; Oliver Burrow; Rachel Cannon; Erling Riis

doi:10.1117/12.3040697

A quantum-classical cold atom system for inertial navigation

Paul Griffin, Oliver Burrow, Rachel Cannon, Erling Riis

Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

Abstract

A cold atom system for an inertial navigation system (INS) demonstrator utilising atom interferometry is presented. Laser-cooled rubidium-87 atoms in a grating magneto-optical trap (gMOT) are used to measure acceleration along a single axis. This system demonstrates a novel technique in quantum-enabled navigation which could offer significant improvement in precision and reduction in the drift present in classical INSs. Ruggedised lasers and control electronics allow potential deployment in maritime navigation in global navigation satellite system (GNSS) denied environments. Considerations are made towards a pathway for modular expansion and development of the system to 6-axis operation.

Original language	English
Article number	1339205
Journal	Proceedings of SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume	13392
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1117/12.3040697
Publication status	Published - 9 Apr 2025
Event	SPIE Quantum West 2025 - San Francisco, United States Duration: 28 Jan 2025 → 29 Jan 2025

Funding

This work was supported by Innovate UK 10072054.

Keywords

Atom interferometry
Quantum navigation
INS
PNT
Photonics
Optics
Laser cooling
Quantum sensors

Access to Document

10.1117/12.3040697

Griffin-etal-2025-A-quantum-classical-cold-atom-system-for-inertial-navigation
Copyright © 2025 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper are prohibited.
Final published version, 2.81 MBLicence: All rights reserved

Cite this

@article{bd416f3273324c0ab2d30fed892c6eb8,

title = "A quantum-classical cold atom system for inertial navigation",

abstract = "A cold atom system for an inertial navigation system (INS) demonstrator utilising atom interferometry is presented. Laser-cooled rubidium-87 atoms in a grating magneto-optical trap (gMOT) are used to measure acceleration along a single axis. This system demonstrates a novel technique in quantum-enabled navigation which could offer significant improvement in precision and reduction in the drift present in classical INSs. Ruggedised lasers and control electronics allow potential deployment in maritime navigation in global navigation satellite system (GNSS) denied environments. Considerations are made towards a pathway for modular expansion and development of the system to 6-axis operation.",

keywords = "Atom interferometry, Quantum navigation, INS, PNT, Photonics, Optics, Laser cooling, Quantum sensors",

author = "Paul Griffin and Oliver Burrow and Rachel Cannon and Erling Riis",

year = "2025",

month = apr,

day = "9",

doi = "10.1117/12.3040697",

language = "English",

volume = "13392",

journal = "Proceedings of SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering",

issn = "0277-786X",

publisher = "SPIE",

note = "SPIE Quantum West 2025 ; Conference date: 28-01-2025 Through 29-01-2025",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - A quantum-classical cold atom system for inertial navigation

AU - Griffin, Paul

AU - Burrow, Oliver

AU - Cannon, Rachel

AU - Riis, Erling

PY - 2025/4/9

Y1 - 2025/4/9

N2 - A cold atom system for an inertial navigation system (INS) demonstrator utilising atom interferometry is presented. Laser-cooled rubidium-87 atoms in a grating magneto-optical trap (gMOT) are used to measure acceleration along a single axis. This system demonstrates a novel technique in quantum-enabled navigation which could offer significant improvement in precision and reduction in the drift present in classical INSs. Ruggedised lasers and control electronics allow potential deployment in maritime navigation in global navigation satellite system (GNSS) denied environments. Considerations are made towards a pathway for modular expansion and development of the system to 6-axis operation.

AB - A cold atom system for an inertial navigation system (INS) demonstrator utilising atom interferometry is presented. Laser-cooled rubidium-87 atoms in a grating magneto-optical trap (gMOT) are used to measure acceleration along a single axis. This system demonstrates a novel technique in quantum-enabled navigation which could offer significant improvement in precision and reduction in the drift present in classical INSs. Ruggedised lasers and control electronics allow potential deployment in maritime navigation in global navigation satellite system (GNSS) denied environments. Considerations are made towards a pathway for modular expansion and development of the system to 6-axis operation.

KW - Atom interferometry

KW - Quantum navigation

KW - INS

KW - PNT

KW - Photonics

KW - Optics

KW - Laser cooling

KW - Quantum sensors

U2 - 10.1117/12.3040697

DO - 10.1117/12.3040697

M3 - Conference article

SN - 0277-786X

VL - 13392

JO - Proceedings of SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering

JF - Proceedings of SPIE: The International Society for Optical Engineering

M1 - 1339205

T2 - SPIE Quantum West 2025

Y2 - 28 January 2025 through 29 January 2025

ER -

A quantum-classical cold atom system for inertial navigation

Abstract

Funding

Keywords

Access to Document

Fingerprint

Cite this