Imperial-built quantum sensor travels to the Arctic for GPS-free navigation

An Imperial-built quantum sensor has been trialled in the Arctic to support the development of a satellite-free navigation system.

The test, carried out in collaboration with the Royal Navy, is the latest step in a years-long effort to turn quantum-enhanced inertial sensors from a physics experiment into a real-world technology. 

For thousands of years, people have turned to the skies to understand where they are on planet Earth. Early sailors navigated vast oceans by reading the constellations, using the night sky to understand their position and chart their course. Today, most of us rely on global navigation satellite systems like GPS (Global Positioning System), to position ourselves in unfamiliar places. Satellites act like the stars that early sailors relied on – each follows a known path, allowing us to predict their exact positions at any moment.

“The Arctic field trial lets us test how these devices perform in unpredictable environments, and helps us work out what we still need to do to make them shock resistant, and able to withstand life at sea.” Dr Joseph Cotter Lead scientist for the quantum sensor project

However, GPS isn’t perfect:  it doesn’t work underground or underwater, its signal can be blocked by tall buildings or bad weather, and jammed, spoofed, or interfered with remotely. It is estimated that a single day of GPS denial would cost over £1 billion to the UK economy. 

The quantum sensors being developed at Imperial College London use quantum phenomena (the wave-like behaviour of cold atoms) to accurately measure accelerations and rotations. If we know our initial position, measurements of acceleration and rotation can be used to work out our location during a journey, without ever having to send or receive a signal remotely. They are highly accurate, remain stable over long periods of time, and are resilient to spoofing attempts.

Designing and building the sensors in a lab in South Kensington is one thing, making them rugged and robust enough to operate onboard a ship is another.

Dr Joseph Cotter, lead scientist for the project, working across the Department of Physics and Department of Materials, said: “In the lab our quantum sensors perform extremely well, which is why we’re so excited about their potential for inertial navigation.

“The Arctic field trial lets us test how these devices perform in unpredictable environments, and helps us work out what we still need to do to make them shock resistant, and able to withstand life at sea.”

Quantum-enhanced inertial sensors could revolutionise industries such as aerospace, agriculture, maritime and transport.

The first Imperial quantum sensors for navigation were demonstrated in 2018, and first deployed aboard the Royal Navy research ship the XV Patrick Blackett in 2023. The Imperial quantum sensor has also been deployed on the London Underground, and may one day enable more reliable signalling systems in rail. 

Commander Matt Steele Royal Navy, SO1 Future Technology for the Royal Navy’s Disruptive Capabilities and Technologies Office, said: "As Head of Futures in the Royal Navy’s Disruptive Capabilities and Technologies Office (DCTO), I am delighted that Dr Joseph Cotter’s team at Imperial College London was able to test its revised Quantum Inertial Navigation Sensing (INS) technology, onboard MV Anvil Point. 

"This experiment builds on previous sea trials, using the RoRo fleet, which has enabled iterative development and performance improvements to the sensor. 

"The DCTO looks forwards to continuing this long-term collaboration with Imperial College London to develop a GNSS-independent INS prototype and demonstrate quantum operational advantage for the Royal Navy."

Professor Peter Haynes, Provost and Deputy President at Imperial, said:  "These quantum sensors are an incredible demonstration of physics, engineering, collaboration, and hard work. The field trials showcase how innovations in quantum technology could impact our daily lives. And the team’s work with the Navy and TfL embody the UK Government’s ambitions to become a resilient and secure quantum-enabled economy and society."

Through the Centre for Quantum Engineering, Science and Technology (QuEST), Imperial has brought together researchers, industry partners and external stakeholders to translate discoveries in quantum science into transformative quantum technologies.