A top-secret laboratory is developing a super-precise “quantum clock” that could revolutionize British intelligence.
planes.
This project will also improve the precision of sophisticated arms, such as guided missiles, and provide British computer experts with a competitive advantage over online rivals, like cyber hackers.
This clock will function with such great precision that it is expected to lose less than a single second over billions of years, enabling scientists to measure time at a previously unattainable level of accuracy.
It is the first device of its kind made in the UK and is expected to be operational on military missions within the next five years, as stated by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).
‘This milestone trial of advanced atomic clock technology is a notable achievement in the UK’s quantum capabilities,’ said DSTL chief executive Paul Hollinshead.
‘The data collected will not only influence future defense efforts, but also sends a message to industry and academia that we are genuinely committed to exploring quantum technologies for secure and dependable operational superiority.’
Quantum clocks utilise quantum mechanics, the physics of atoms and subatomic particles, to provide timekeeping with unprecedented precision by measuring energy fluctuations within atoms.
Atomic clocks are already quite precise, with over 400 in use worldwide, but quantum clocks have the potential to be even more accurate.
Britain currently maintains an atomic clock at the National Physical Laboratory in London, but the new quantum clock will be its first of this kind.
Nick France, CTO of Sectigo, said, “A quantum clock is a type of atomic clock – essentially a super-accurate timekeeping device.”
‘Atomic clocks operate by detecting the resonant frequency of atoms, whereas quantum clocks measure and utilize the minute fluctuations in the energy levels of these atoms, thereby achieving even higher accuracy, surpassing the precision of atomic clocks.
Presently, atomic clocks are extremely accurate. Nevertheless, a quantum clock is expected to possess a level of accuracy in which only one second is lost over billions of years of operation.
The British quantum clock will be the first device of its kind to be built in the UK, according to the UK government’s statement, but it will not be the first of its kind worldwide.
In 2010, the University of Colorado at Boulder collaborated with the US National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop a quantum clock.
However, key limitations to deploying quantum clocks are their size – current models occupy a space roughly equivalent to the volume of a van or a car trailer, approximately 1,500 litres in volume.
Similar to most other quantum equipment, exhibit sensitivity to environmental factors such as heat and air molecules, which hinders their transport between various locations.
‘There are no tiny quantum clocks like pocket watches or alarm clocks,’ he noted.
These are devices that are currently implemented on a large scale, sometimes even occupying an entire room.
‘Nonetheless, advancements in technology will shrink the size of these devices, rendering them more portable.’
In addition to their ultra-precise timekeeping, quantum clocks can revolutionize global navigation systems by enhancing satellite communications and aircraft navigation.
According to DSTL, their quantum clock will make possible more precise and more independent navigation systems, which will rely less on GPS satellites, that are vulnerable to interference or destruction in situations of conflict.
It will enhance communication systems, such as encrypted military networks that rely on highly synchronized timekeeping as a cornerstone, as well as increasing the accuracy of advanced weapon systems like guided missiles that depend on precise timing to determine trajectories and coordinate attacks.
Additionally, the British Armed Forces will gain an advantage over their adversaries in “timing-critical operations”, such as cyber warfare, where a difference in milliseconds can be crucial.
This refers to actions by a nation or international organisation to attack and attempt to interfere with or disrupt another nation’s computer systems and information networks.
France noted, ‘Highly precise timekeeping is crucial for governments and military forces to facilitate accurate navigation of aircraft and ships using GPS or comparable technologies, as well as guidance systems for missiles.
‘Secure communications are equally important for both the military and civilians.’
A significant portion of secure communications for governments and the military depends on precise timing sources for seamless operation.
‘In addition to their military and scientific applications, accurate clocks also have significant implications for civilian uses and the broader security of the internet, including the protection of personal data as it is transmitted through the internet.’
Businesses and governments globally are eager to capitalize on the extensive advantages that the extraordinary consequences of quantum technology could deliver.
Google recently revealed a novel quantum computing processor that can accomplish a task in just minutes, a feat which supercomputers would take 10 septillion years to accomplish.
Eventually, such a chip could power a “commercial” quantum computer that could be purchased by members of the public and used in laboratories, offices, and even private residences.
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