Southampton’s Aquark successfully tests ‘cold atom’ tech for quantum sensors with Royal Navy

Aquark Technologies, a Southampton firm developing ‘cold atom’ technology for a range of quantum applications, has put its tech to the test on a Royal Navy vessel.

The team declared the trial a success, providing a viable alternative to GPS for determining position, navigation and timing (PNT) aboard the HMS Pursuer.

Aquark’s technology works by laser-cooling atoms to almost absolute zero.

It uses a unique method which – unlike others – doesn’t require an applied magnetic field, thus allowing the firm to reduce the size, weight, power consumption and cost of its sensors.

The team will now take their findings forward into development of a prototype for AQlock – the UK’s first commercial cold atom clock.

Andrei Dragomir, co-founder and CEO of Aquark Technologies, said: “With this latest trial of our technology at sea, we’re continuing to show the real-life applications of our technology.

“The completion of this trial marks an encouraging milestone for the future of quantum technologies in fields such as defence and infrastructure.

“Demonstrating these cold atom systems in real-world environments will drive us towards deployable systems.

“Our goal now is to continue enhancing our technology off the back of these results and with the help of our recent investment to make them ready for real-world use.”

Aquark raised €5 million earlier this year in a seed funding round led by the NATO Innovation Fund and supported by the likes of Airbus, BAE Systems and Leonardo.

• aquarktechnologies.com