ORACL (Optical Rubidium Atomic CLock)

现代基础设施越来越依赖于高度精确的计时。这包括多个平台上的导航系统，整个国家电网的电力输送，以及通过MiFID II法规进行金融交易的时间戳，仅举几例。随着新技术的采用，越来越多的大型系统对高精度计时的需求也在增长，而获得更便宜和更有弹性的计时源将推动进一步的创新。精确计时通常通过全球导航卫星系统（GNSS）进行远距离传播，这使得GNSS成为现代系统的支柱，被称为“无形的公用事业”。虽然GNSS继续为数百万人提供精确的时间，但我们对单一系统的过度依赖是非常令人担忧的（Blackett Review，Satellite-derived time and position，2018）。在没有全球导航卫星系统衍生的定时的情况下，需要本地定时参考。虽然正在努力提高传统微波基准频率源的性能和SWAP-C，但这些改进是微不足道的。量子光学原子钟技术已被证明在许多基础和应用研究环境中提供了能力的阶跃变化，并且非常适合下一代PNT系统的长期稳定性要求。到目前为止，由于量子光学原子钟技术复杂，以及光学供应链中所需激光系统的不成熟，量子光学原子钟还无法商业化。Infleqtion开发了一款具有6 U 19”机架尺寸的光学原子钟演示器，其频率稳定性性能超过了最先进的微波频率基准。在这个项目中，我们将使用从这个演示器的初始测试中获得的知识来创建一个强大的，可现场部署的光学铷原子钟- ORACL。此外，CQUK将发展生产关键子系统的能力，如光频梳，以确保该领域的主权能力。

Modern infrastructure is increasingly dependent on highly accurate timing. This ranges across navigation systems on multiple platforms, the delivery of power throughout the national grid, and timestamping of financial transactions though MiFID II regulations to name but a few. The demand for highly accurate timekeeping across ever larger systems is growing with the uptake of new technologies, and access to less expensive and more resilient timing sources will drive further innovation.Accurate timing is typically disseminated over large distances via the global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), which has made GNSS the backbone of modern-day systems, being described as the "invisible utility". While GNSS continues to deliver precise timing to millions, our over-reliance on a single system is of great concern (Blackett Review, Satellite-derived time and position, 2018). In the absence of GNSS-derived timing, local timing references are required. While efforts are underway to improve both the performance and SWAP-C of conventional microwave-based frequency references, the improvements are marginal. Quantum Optical atomic clock technology has been demonstrated to provide a step-change in capability in numerous basic and applied research settings and is well suited for the long-term stability demands of next-generation PNT systems. Until now, quantum optical atomic clocks have not been possible to commercialise due to their technical complexity and the immaturity of the required laser systems within the optical supply chain.Infleqtion has developed an optical atomic clock demonstrator with a 6U 19" rack form factor which has demonstrated frequency stability performance surpassing the state-of-the-art microwave-based frequency references. Within this project, we will use knowledge gained from initial testing of this demonstrator to create a robust, field deployable optical rubidium atomic clock - ORACL. In addition, CQUK will develop the capability to produce critical subsystems, such as optical frequency combs, to ensure sovereign capability in this sector.