R&D
Research, development, and innovation at Skylark Lasers
Skylark Lasers’ research, development, and innovation focuses on advancing compact laser architectures for quantum and ultraviolet applications. Our innovation projects target longevity, miniaturisation, spectral stability, and the reliability required for deployment in production and high throughput environments.
Dedicated to driving the future of laser-enabled quantum development
Our team partners with the photonics cluster in Scotland and quantum research hubs across the UK to further miniaturise and commercialise laser systems for quantum sensors and computers.
Committed to the advancement of quantum-enabling laser technology, we aim to:
Skylark Lasers research and development projects
Skylark NX lasers combine efficient high power with spectral purity form a low-loss, high conversion cavity design. Delivering ultra-stable output with a narrow linewidth, Skylark NX lasers at 780 nm and 785 nm provide a clean beam with low ASE noise < – 80 dB without filters or mode cleaning.
NX Micro COTS laser system for quantum gravity gradiometry
The aim of this project was to deliver quantum-enabled systems for positioning, navigation and timing, and quantum-enabled sensors for navigation applications, such as magnetic or gravity field sensors. Skylark Lasers developed the NX Micro commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) laser system tuned to the 780.24 nm Rb transition.
QT Assemble: Integrated Quantum Technology Programme
The QT Assemble project is comprised of 14 organisations led by Fraunhofer’s Centre for Applied Photonics (CAP). The project addresses the challenges of size, weight, power and reliability of quantum systems. Through the development of reliable integrated components and sub-systems, the project goal is to widen current opportunities and open up new markets for navigation, communications, sensing and computing.
Pioneer Gravity: Gravity sensors for infrastructure productivity, situational awareness and seeing the invisible
This project is proposed by a UK consortium of the best scientific and engineering companies the UK has to offer. Working with leading UK universities, these companies are looking to overcome these challenges, and develop a new industry of cold-atom sensors in the UK. If these advanced performances can be demonstrated, the economic and societal benefit of this industry in the UK is expected to be significant and long-lasting.
DPSS Laser stabilised at 813nm for Sr Clock Application (LQT813)
In this UKRI-supported project, we developed a compact single frequency solid-state laser for controlling quantum states of strontium atoms via light-matter interaction at their near-IR transition at 813 nm. Using our innovative proprietary technology platform, we reduced the size and cost of this critical component without losing performance.
Miniature Lasers for Quantum Technologies (MINUSQULE)
Together with Fraunhofer UK and support from UKRI, we have developed ultra-compact solid-state lasers, using an innovative design to extend the wavelength coverage and functionality of microchip lasers. The development of such compact and rugged sources of single-frequency light sources are instrumental in paving the way for quantum technologies to reach their full potential and make the transition from research labs and large scale installations into industrial and consumer markets.
Praseodymium Laser Architecture Investigation and Demonstrator (PLAID)
Quantum technologies are braced to have a similarly wide and ubiquitous social impact that electronics have enjoyed since the invention of the transistor, but to achieve this it will be necessary to miniaturise all the component subsystems, in particular the single-frequency lasers sources needed to manipulate the quantum states of atoms and ions. In this project we will develop ultra-compact solid-state lasers, using an innovative design to extend the wavelength coverage and functionality of microchip lasers.