QLM Recieves UKRI Funding Awards
QLM has received funding awards from UKRI – UK Research and Innovation – for four projects: AIR-SPAD, PASCAL and Q3MD, and UP-SENSE.
This funding award is from a third round of funding for the “Commercialising Quantum Technology - Feasibility Studies”.
This "PASCAL" project – 18-month, £500k, which started in October – is a collaboration with Aston University and RedWave Labs, exploiting the knowledge and experience of Aston University in fast photon counting using FPGA processing and the fast electronics design skills and photonics system expertise of RedWave Labs, combined with the quantum gas imaging technology pioneered by QLM. The project will develop a ‘Photon Absorption Spectroscopy Camera for Leaks’ (PASCAL) utilising detector arrays and ultra-fast photon counting and correlation to handle very high data rates in real-time, offering much faster scanning rates than current technology.
The awarded ”Q3MD" project – 18-month, £500, which recently started – aims to develop a 3-micron wavelength quantum-sensitive detector using only solid-state cooling, to develop practical detectors for gas detection at longer (3µm) wavelengths. This project will use new materials combined with RedWave Labs’ control electronics, and solid-state cooling in innovate optoelectronics packaging developed by Bay Photonics, and QLM will evaluate the new detection capability for gas sensing applications. Methane and other target gases can be detected at much lower concentrations with spectroscopy in the 3µm region than at the near-IR 1.65µm used in commercial detectors. By applying QLM’s Quantum Gas Imaging techniques, we can extend our remote spectroscopy capabilities to increase the distance from which we can detect gases, and we can increase detection speeds. By accessing the 3µm spectral region, low concentration sensitivity could be increased up to 50-fold. In addition, we can expand the gas species and target other applications are that currently not addressable in the near-IR.
The awarded ”UP-SENSE" project – 18-month, £500, which recently started – funds a new approach to greenhouse gas detection exploiting second-generation quantum technology. QLM aims to develop a new optical detection platform based on the quantum process of up-conversion of photons from short-wave infra-red (SWIR) to visible wavelengths, detecting light with efficient single-photon avalanche detectors. The ‘UP-SENSE’ concept exploits novel waveguides in non-linear materials developed by Covesion and technical expertise from Fraunhofer UK’s Centre for Applied Photonics. Together, we will develop an optical sensing system based on strong gas scattering at longer-wavelength SWIR and photon up-conversion for more efficient detection at visible wavelengths, utilising modelling expertise from Bristol University to optimise sensitivity.
The awarded "AIR-SPAD" project is a collaboration with Phlux Technology and The University of Sheffield to develop advances in single-photon avalanche detectors (SPADs) for the detection of methane, in applications where the implementation of quantum technology can make a real-world impact to help tackle climate change.