British researchers develop highly accurate ‘quantum compass’

Scientists at the British National Physical Laboratory have developed a ‘quantum compass’ that can be used to determine position without GPS satellites. The technology is still too big to place in mobile phones, but it would be more accurate than GPS.

The quantum compass was developed on the basis of quantum computer technology. The basis is strongly cooled rubidium atoms that move very slowly within a chip and are extremely sensitive to changes within the magnetic field and the gravitational field of the earth. By accurately measuring the movements of the atoms with a laser relative to a known position, the location can be determined very accurately, according to the researchers. This would be up to a hundred times more accurate than via systems such as GPS. The time determination would also show virtually no deviations.

Although the prototype shown can only determine the position on one axis, the technology is promising: in addition to the high accuracy, the compass works independently of external sources, such as GPS satellites, which can potentially be disturbed. A disadvantage, in addition to the high cost price, is that the required hardware is still relatively large: the quantum compass is the size of a suitcase. As a result, the technology will not yet be usable in smartphones, for example, but the high-tech compass could be used in aircraft and submarines, for example. The technology is expected to be ready for the market in five years.