CST Global to present CoolBlue and MacV at Photonics West
III-V foundry to provide an update on projects for next-generation GaN laser diodes for quantum sensing and VCSELS for atomic clocks
CST Global will be providing an update on two of its government-funded, next-generation, quantum technology development projects at Photonics West in San Francisco, the largest technical conference and exhibition for the photonics, laser and biomedical optics industries.
The first government-funded project "˜CoolBlue' involves developing next-generation, DFB GaN laser diodes for quantum sensing systems. Thomas Slight wil present his paper on the projects' findings at the exhibition conference.
The second project is "˜MacV', "˜VCSELs for miniature atomic clocks'. The project is developing a commercially viable, mass-produced, CPT (coherent population trapping) "“ based, miniature, quantum atomic clock. These are for submarine or military applications, where a GPS signal is not available. MacV is extremely relevant to attendees and has many other potential market applications.
Iain Eddie, research engineer and MacV project leader at CST Global, explains: "CPT-based, miniature atomic clocks require extremely stable, single mode laser diodes for direct modulation at the resonance frequency of the gas cell. The MacV VCSELs will provide low power consumption, stable wavelength, high reliability and a small footprint. A volume produced VCSEL source with these specific characteristics is not currently manufactured in the UK and there are potential applications for a chip scale atomic clocks worldwide. This gives the MacV project participants, and the UK, a strategic and commercial opportunity in the emerging atomic clock market."
The MacV project budget is £1,234,392, with a government funding contribution of £705,287. CST Global is a participant member of the project and will receive £202,056. Cardiff University and NPL Management Limited are also participant members, with Compound Semiconductor Centre Ltd, Cardiff, as lead participant.
The MacV project has run since March 2017 and runs until February 2019.
