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Oxford Lasers Awarded UKRI's LINQED Program Grant for Precision Laser Micromachining in Quantum Technology Components
Partnered with Top Industry and Academia R&D in Support of UK Quantum Technology Manufacturing
(Didcot, Oxfordshire, England) – Oxford Lasers proudly announces the successful award of a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) collaborative Research and Development (R&D) grant for the LINQED project (Linked Ion Traps for Networked Quantum Entanglement Distribution). In partnership with ColdQuanta UK Ltd and Oxford University, Oxford Lasers’ role will be to develop high-precision laser micromachining processes in the creation of miniaturised ion traps – a key component in quantum networking.
Dr. Dimitris Karnakis, Senior Manager Technology, Oxford Lasers, explained “Quantum technology developments have accelerated over the past decade showing tremendous potential to revolutionise industries with a global impact such as in computing, sensors, and communication sectors. Ion traps in particular have emerged as a promising platform for quantum networking and networked quantum computing. However, the key challenge of scalability remains, hindering further deployment of this technology. This grant will enable the UK to develop and manufacture key components in quantum networks that have never been tried before”.
He continued “Our aim is to develop, along with ColdQuanta and Oxford University, new technology for facilitating mass production of compact ion trap nodes with a hundred times smaller volume than existing systems. Ultrafast laser-based micromachining, which Oxford Lasers will provide, will achieve fast and reliable hermetic bonding between glass and metal surfaces reducing failure rates and improve high throughput manufacturability of such ultra-high vacuum devices. We will additionally create through glass vias for critical high-density electrical and optical interconnection of ion traps. UKRI recognises the importance of advancing quantum technology to keep the UK competitive in the global market”.
Dr. Karnakis commented “Oxford Lasers have an established record of laser-based innovation and invest heavily in research and development, always pushing forward the boundaries on new technologies. We thrive on exploring new capabilities of lasers for material processing and see the UKRI LINQED project as perfectly suited to our portfolio of ultra-high precision laser micromachining developments. We are very excited to contribute our laser technology expertise and apply it to quantum networks”.
Learn More about the UKRI LINQED Project Grant
Webpage: UKRI’s LINQED project grant page.
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