Researchers at the University of Rochester are working on developing photonic chips that could potentially replace the gyroscopes currently used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones. The goal of this improvement is to allow drones to navigate even when GPS signals are jammed or unavailable. Scientists are using a quantum technique known as weak-value amplification to achieve the same level of sensitivity as bulk optical gyroscopes in tiny, handheld photonic chips.
Institute of Optics Associate Professor James Cardenas has received a grant from the National Science Foundation to fund this research project through 2026. Currently, fiber optic gyroscopes used in advanced drones consist of long coils of fiber or have limited dynamic range. . Cárdenas explains that gyroscope sensitivity and stability are usually compromised by size and weight limitations. As drones and unmanned aerial vehicles become smaller and more common, the need for compact and high-performance navigation-grade gyroscopes becomes critical.
Weak value amplification, the quantum technique used in this study, offers advantages over traditional methods by amplifying the interferometric measurement signal without increasing the technical noise. Previous demonstrations of weak-value amplification required complex laboratory setups, but Cardenas aims to implement the technique on a small photonic chip with a high-quality factor ring resonator.
Cardenas is collaborating with physicist Andrew Jordan, formerly a faculty member at Rochester and now at Chapman University. In addition, the university’s David T. Kearns Center for Leadership and Diversity is involved in a project to expand the participation of underrepresented groups by providing research experiences to high school students from the Rochester City School District and inspiring their interest in STEM careers.
In conclusion, the development of photonic chips using weak value amplification has the potential to revolutionize UAV navigation by offering compact and high-performance gyroscopes that can operate even in GPS-deprived environments.
Sources:
– University of Rochester
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2023-10-15 08:26:19
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