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.

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 Senior Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. With a career spanning three decades, she is one of the most respected voices in Indian journalism regarding healthcare, science and environment and research developments. She also takes a keen interest in covering women's issues . Professional Background Education: A gold medalist in Communication and Journalism from Savitribai Phule Pune University and a Master’s degree in Literature. Author: She authored the biography At The Wheel Of Research, which chronicles the life and work of Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the former Chief Scientist at the WHO. Key Focus: She combines scientific accuracy with storytelling, translating complex medical research into compelling public and human-interest narratives. Awards and Recognition Anuradha has won several awards including the Press Council of India's national award for excellence in journalism under the gender based reporting category in 2019 and the Laadli Media award (gender sensitivity -2024). A recipient of the Lokmat journalism award (gender category-2022), she was also shortlisted for the RedInk awards for excellence in journalism-2021. Her debut book At The Wheel Of Research, an exclusive biography of Dr Soumya Swaminathan the inaugural chief scientist of World Health Organisation was also nominated in the Popular Choice Category of JK Paper AUTHER awards. She has also secured competitive fellowships including the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022), the Survivors Against TB – New Research in TB Media Fellowship (2023) and is part of the prestigious 2025 India Cohort of the WomenLift Health Leadership Journey.” Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) 1. Cancer & Specialized Medical Care "Tata Memorial finds way to kill drug-resistant cancer cells" (Nov 26, 2025): Reporting on a breakthrough for triple-negative breast cancer, one of the most aggressive forms of the disease. Discipline, diet and purpose; How a 97-year-old professor defies ageing'' (Nov 15, 2025) Report about Prof Gururaj Mutalik, the first Head of Department at Pune's B J Government Medical College who at 97 credits his longevity to healthy habits and a strong sense of purpose. 2. Environmental Health (The "Breathless Pune" Series) Long-term exposure even to 'moderate' air leads to chronic heart, lung, kidney issues" (Nov 26, 2025): Part of an investigative series highlighting that even "safe" pollution levels are damaging to vital organs. "For every 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 level, there was 6-8% jump in medicine sales" (Nov 23, 2025): Using commercial data to prove the direct link between air quality and respiratory illnesses in Pune. 3. Lifestyle & Wellness News "They didn't let cancer, diabetes and heart disease stop them from travelling" (Dec 22, 2025): A collaborative piece featuring survivors who share practical tips for traveling with chronic conditions. At 17, his BP shot up to 200/120 mmHG; Lancet study flags why child and teen hypertension doubled between 2000 and 2020'' (Nov 12,2025)--A report that focusses on 17-year-old-boy's hypertensive crisis and reflects the rising global trend of high blood pressure among children and adolescents. 4. Scientific Recognition & Infrastructure For promoting sci-comm, gender diversity: IUCAA woman prof highlighted in Nature" (Nov 25, 2025): Covering the global recognition of Indian women scientists in gender studies and physics. Pune researchers find a spiral galaxy like the Milky Way from early universe'' (December 3, 2025)- A report on how Indian researchers discovered a massive galaxy that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old , one of the earliest to have been observed so far. Signature Beat: Health, Science & Women in Leadership Anuradha is known for her COVID-19 reportage, where she was one of the first journalists to provide detailed insights into the Covishield and Covaxin trials. She has a dedicated interest in gender diversity in health and science, often profiling women researchers who are breaking the "leaky pipeline" in STEM fields. Her writing style is scrupulous, often featuring interviews with top-tier scientists and health experts from various institutions. ... Read More

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