Pune startup to develop advanced lasers for precise atomic clocks

Department of Science and Technology's National Quantum Mission to support and fund eight startups.

In India, all components needed to build atomic clocks, such as lasers and frequency combs, must be imported. (File Photo)

Atomic clocks are the most precise timepieces in the world. Modern versions are so accurate that they may gain or lose only a second over a period comparable to the age of the universe. At the core of these clocks are electrons in specific atoms that transition between defined energy levels when they absorb or emit electromagnetic radiation at a precise frequency. The measurement of these transitions is highly complex and usually requires ultra-stable lasers operating in various modes. In India, all components needed to build atomic clocks, such as lasers and frequency combs, must be imported.

Now, a Pune-based startup, QuPrayog Priave Limited, a spin-off from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Pune, aims to develop advanced Titanium Sapphire Laser systems for advanced quantum technology applications. It is among the eight that will be supported under the Department of Science and Technology’s National Quantum Mission.

“These clocks now have several critical applications. For instance, they are at the heart of Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and the accuracy of the atomic clocks directly affects the positioning accuracy. Other applications range from the synchronisation of data transfer in communication networks to the time-stamping of financial transactions,” Dr Sunil Nair, professor at the Department of Physics at Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, told The Indian Express.

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Nair explained that a key ingredient is a frequency comb, a spectrum consisting of a series of equally spaced frequency lines, similar to the teeth of a comb.

“Currently, all these parts which go into making atomic clocks, like lasers and frequency combs, have to be imported. One of the selected startups is a spin-off from IISER Pune. Co-founded by Dr Rahul Sawant, a faculty fellow at I-Hub QTF; and Dr Jay Mangaonkar, a postdoctoral fellow at IISER Pune, this startup aims to develop advanced Titanium Sapphire Laser systems for advanced Quantum Technology applications. These are tunable lasers which typically emit in the red and near-infrared region, and are at the heart of ultra-stable atomic clocks,” he said.

Dr Nair, the project director of I-Hub Quantum Technology Foundation, said this venture promises to achieve indigenous capabilities in this strategically important sector.

In August this year, I-Hub Quantum Technologies Foundation hosted at IISER Pune announced a call for proposals for startups in the domain of quantum technology. The formal announcement of selected startups was made by Dr Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, at a recent function held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.

Anuradha Mascarenhas

Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More

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