Overview of project As fibre optic devices increase in sophistication, there is an increasing demand for better polarisation control and polarisation maintaining components. In many cases, polarisation control optimises performance, e.g. interferometric techniques such as optical coherence tomography (OCT). For many current applications, the existing PM couplers are of insufficient performance and an in-house "work-around" is required. The MUDPAC consortium aims to address the growing need for improved PM components by developing "coupler-friendly" fibre, a workstation and process for PM coupler manufacture using the fibre, and then test component performance for state of the art pulsed high power applications suitable for new market challenges. THE FIBRE: Led by Fibercore, who have recently developed a "coupler-friendly" fibre, various stress-rod materials and geometries will be investigated and tested to produce a new high quality product. THE WORKSTATION: Led by Gooch & Housego, using an in-house knowledge of PM fibre coupler manufacturing processes, a novel method will be devised for the new fibre, as well as a workstation optimised to implement such a process. THE TESTING: Led by Fianium, the components will be subjected to high power and long-term testing, with the results fed back to the other partners for the iterative process leading to improved fibres and components.

Quantum technology is usually seen as an academic science that sits in big experiments such as the Large Hadron Collider, but it is now coming much closer to home and within a couple of years will affect the life of man in the street. We all tire of roadworks and get frustrated when they cut through our phone lines or water supply. Quantum technology can provide an answer by enabling surveyors to see through the ground and map the hidden structure beneath our feet using gravimeters that precisely measure the small variations in gravity caused by pipes and voids under the ground. This project is focused on developing practical technology that can enable the large complex experiments in University laboratories to be package into portable instruments that can be carried out into the street. Two of the UK’s leading technology manufacturing companies, G&H and e2v Technologies are teaming up with the University of Birmingham, which heads up the UK quantum sensing hub, to develop lasers, vacuum systems and control electronics for these quantum based sensors.