DARPA taps RTX for sensors that defy standard limits
RTX BBN Technologies is developing advanced photonic sensors under DARPA's INSPIRED program, aiming to achieve over 10x precision compared to current sensors. The project focuses on creating compact, low-power sensors using quantum states of squeezed light, pushing detection sensitivity 16 dB below the 'shot noise' limit. The technology will impact various fields including LiDAR, biosensing, navigation, and communications. The team, including partners from Xanadu Quantum, University of Maryland, and Raytheon's Advanced Technology division, will develop a millimeter-scale detector operating within 100 MHz to 10 GHz frequency range.
RTX BBN Technologies sta sviluppando sensori fotonici avanzati nell'ambito del programma INSPIRED della DARPA, con l'obiettivo di raggiungere una precisione superiore a 10 volte rispetto ai sensori attuali. Il progetto si concentra sulla creazione di sensori compatti e a bassa potenza utilizzando stati quantistici di luce compressa, migliorando la sensibilità di rilevamento di 16 dB al di sotto del limite del 'rumore di sparo'. Questa tecnologia avrà un impatto in vari settori, tra cui LiDAR, biosensing, navigazione e comunicazioni. Il team, composto da partner come Xanadu Quantum, Università del Maryland e la divisione Advanced Technology di Raytheon, svilupperà un rilevatore in scala millimetrica operante nella gamma di frequenze da 100 MHz a 10 GHz.
RTX BBN Technologies está desarrollando sensores fotónicos avanzados en el marco del programa INSPIRED de DARPA, con el objetivo de lograr una precisión superior a 10 veces en comparación con los sensores actuales. El proyecto se centra en crear sensores compactos y de bajo consumo utilizando estados cuánticos de luz comprimida, aumentando la sensibilidad de detección 16 dB por debajo del límite de 'ruido de disparo'. La tecnología impactará en diversos campos, incluyendo LiDAR, biosensores, navegación y comunicaciones. El equipo, que incluye a socios de Xanadu Quantum, la Universidad de Maryland y la división de Tecnología Avanzada de Raytheon, desarrollará un detector a escala milimétrica que funcione en el rango de frecuencias de 100 MHz a 10 GHz.
RTX BBN Technologies는 DARPA의 INSPIRED 프로그램에 따라 고급 광자 센서를 개발하고 있으며, 현재 센서보다 10배 이상의 정밀도를 달성하는 것을 목표로 하고 있습니다. 이 프로젝트는 압축된 빛의 양자 상태를 사용하여 컴팩트하고 저전력의 센서를 만드는 데 초점을 맞추고 있으며, '샷 노이즈' 한계보다 16 dB 낮은 감지 민감도를 제공합니다. 이 기술은 LiDAR, 바이오 센싱, 내비게이션 및 통신 등 다양한 분야에 영향을 미칠 것입니다. Xanadu Quantum, 메릴랜드 대학교 및 레이시온의 첨단 기술 부서와 협력하는 팀은 100 MHz에서 10 GHz 주파수 범위 내에서 작동하는 밀리미터 스케일 검출기를 개발할 것입니다.
RTX BBN Technologies développe des capteurs photoniques avancés dans le cadre du programme INSPIRED de la DARPA, avec l'objectif d'atteindre une précision supérieure à 10 fois par rapport aux capteurs actuels. Le projet se concentre sur la création de capteurs compacts et basse consommation utilisant des états quantiques de lumière comprimée, poussant la sensibilité de détection à 16 dB en dessous de la limite du 'bruit de détection'. Cette technologie aura un impact dans divers domaines, y compris LiDAR, la biosensibilisation, la navigation et les communications. L'équipe, comprenant des partenaires de Xanadu Quantum, de l'Université du Maryland et de la division Advanced Technology de Raytheon, développera un détecteur à l'échelle millimétrique fonctionnant dans la plage de fréquences de 100 MHz à 10 GHz.
RTX BBN Technologies entwickelt im Rahmen des INSPIRED-Programms der DARPA fortschrittliche photonische Sensoren, mit dem Ziel, eine Präzision von über 10-fach im Vergleich zu aktuellen Sensoren zu erreichen. Das Projekt konzentriert sich auf die Erstellung von kompakten, energiesparenden Sensoren unter Verwendung von quantenmechanischen Zuständen von komprimiertem Licht und verbessert die Detektionssensitivität um 16 dB unterhalb der 'Shot-Noise'-Grenze. Die Technologie wird verschiedene Bereiche beeinflussen, einschließlich LiDAR, Biosensierung, Navigation und Kommunikation. Das Team, einschließlich Partner wie Xanadu Quantum, der Universität von Maryland und der Advanced Technology-Abteilung von Raytheon, wird einen millimetergroßen Detektor entwickeln, der im Frequenzbereich von 100 MHz bis 10 GHz arbeitet.
- Development of revolutionary sensor technology with 10x greater precision than current solutions
- Wide commercial and defense applications across multiple high-value markets
- Strategic collaboration with leading quantum and photonic experts
- None.
Insights
This DARPA contract represents a significant technological breakthrough in quantum sensing with broad commercial implications. The development of photonic chip-scale quantum sensors that achieve 16 dB below shot noise limit could revolutionize multiple industries including autonomous vehicles, defense systems and precision navigation.
The technology's ability to overcome fundamental physics limitations through quantum mechanics marks a important advancement. The commercial applications in LiDAR, fiber-based sensing, biosensing and communications present substantial market opportunities. While the immediate revenue impact may be , the long-term potential for RTX is considerable, especially in defense contracts and commercial sensing markets.
The collaboration with Xanadu Quantum and academic institutions strengthens RTX's position in the quantum technology space, potentially leading to valuable IP and first-mover advantages in chip-scale quantum sensors.
This development positions RTX strategically in the rapidly growing quantum sensing market, projected to reach
The dual-use nature of this technology - spanning defense and commercial applications - significantly expands RTX's addressable market. Key growth areas include autonomous vehicles, precision navigation and biosensing, representing multi-billion dollar opportunities. This project aligns with the broader quantum technology investment trend, where government funding is accelerating commercialization efforts.
RTX BBN Technologies creating photonic chip-scale quantum sensors for defense and commercial applications
As part of DARPA's Intensity Squeezed Photonic Integration with Revolutionary Detection (INSPIRED) program, the BBN-led team will deliver a prototype photonic chip that uses exotic quantum states of squeezed light to achieve its goals.
The successful delivery of this custom-designed prototype requires the team to push detection sensitivity 16 dB below the fundamental "shot noise" limit, which imposes a strict bound on the sensitivity of conventional sensors that are not equipped to take advantage of the unique quantum properties of light.
"Light is a powerful tool that finds widespread use in sensors like LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) for mapping, autonomous navigation, and more," said Dr. Mo Soltani, BBN principal investigator on the effort. "But today's sensors are limited by the randomness inherent in the way light fluctuates. Imagine that you have a light source, and you're counting the photons arriving at a detector every second. Because of the quantum nature of light, the number of photons you count each second will vary, even if your source is perfectly stable." This variation in detection, known as shot noise, limits how precisely a sensor can use light to probe its surroundings.
To overcome this problem, the team's chip-scale detector will use quantum mechanics to fine tune the light it generates. "Our device minimizes the photon noise by 'squeezing' the light source—suppressing certain kinds of quantum fluctuations while augmenting others," said Dr. Michael Grace, a quantum information scientist at BBN involved in the project. "This lets us focus on extracting the information embedded in a specific photonic property of interest without being limited by shot noise."
Using squeezed light to increase the precision of photon measurements has been proven in meter-scale laboratory experiments and kilometer-scale gravitational wave facilities. The team will use its expertise in photonic integrated circuits and quantum measurement devices to achieve the design and fabrication innovations required to transfer squeezed light capabilities to a fieldable, millimeter-scale detector for detection across a wide frequency range within 100 MHz to 10 GHz.
In addition, BBN will use its proficiency in systems integration to manage a team that includes leading quantum and photonic experts from Xanadu Quantum, the University of
"Improving the accuracy, sensitivity, resolution and efficiency of fielded sensors makes them more effective in a wide range of applications, from mapping and surveying to autonomous navigation and obstacle detection," said Soltani. "All of that translates to better information to use in decision-making."
Work on this contract is being performed in
About RTX BBN Technologies
Founded in 1948, RTX BBN Technologies provides advanced technology research and development with a focus on national security priorities. From the ARPANET to the first email, through the first metro network protected by quantum cryptography, BBN consistently transitions advanced research to produce innovative solutions for its customers. BBN takes risks and challenges conventions to create solutions in analytics and machine intelligence, networks and sensors, intelligent software and systems, and physical sciences.
About RTX
With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of
For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com
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