Exploiting the 'spooky effects' of quantum mechanics

By exploiting the extreme sensitivity of quantum sensors, physicists working with industry will be able to bring to the market place technology that will enable them to look accurately and non-destructively in many scenarios, from mapping pipework and cabling under the road surface before digging takes place, reducing disruption and traffic delays; monitoring water levels in aquifers in drought prone areas, as well as providing a non-invasive way of measuring brain activity to further research into dementia.

These sensors are not just sensitive, but will be very quick: the 'optical lattice' clocks that could be built as a result of this technology will also be found in the increasingly fast high-frequency trading in financial markets, where the measurement of time to ascertain who bids first needs to be accurate.

The science behind the sensors is based on the fact that super cold atoms can be in two places at once. Described by scientists as a 'spooky effect', a single atom can travel in two directions at the same time, creating an interference pattern.

By sending an atom at the same time down two different routes it explores these two routes simultaneously. It is very sensitive to changes in gravity and can measure very accurately the differences in gravity between the two paths.

A consortium led by physicists at the University of Birmingham including the Universities of Glasgow, Nottingham, Southampton, Strathclyde and Sussex have been awarded a UK Quantum Technology Hub with a total EPSRC, University and industry contribution exceeding £80 million to translate their work in quantum sensors into technology that could help industry solve many problems.

The national investment, announced  on 26 November by minister of state for universities, science and cities, Greg Clark, totals £270 million for research into quantum technology across four hubs of scientists led by the Universities of Birmingham, Oxford, York and Glasgow.

Professor Philip Nelson, EPSRC's chief executive said, "These new hubs will build on our previous investments in quantum science. They will draw together scientists, engineers and technologists from across the UK who will explore how we can exploit the intriguing properties of the quantum realm. The area offers great promise, and the hubs will keep the UK at the leading edge of this exciting field."

Professor Kai Bongs, who leads the Birmingham consortium at the University's School of Physics and Astronomy, said, "In quantum mechanical systems, it is quite normal for two distinct states of a system to co-exist. In the everyday world this could be imagined as having summer and winter at the same time. This spooky property called 'quantum superposition' where an atom can be in two places at the same time is now destined to become part of the everyday world thanks to the funding of our Quantum Technology Hub."