Time critical: STEM Futures supports quantum tech collaboration during the pandemic
The last year may have put much site-based working on hold but it has not put an end to scientific collaboration, which has continued to flourish despite the restrictions caused by Covid-19.
One such example is a recent project bringing together AWE and NPL, the UK’s National Metrology Institute, to support resilient timing in the UK. Made possible through the STEM Futures programme, AWE physicist Dr Joe Watson embarked on a part-time secondment to NPL to bring his skills and experience to their work in time distribution.
Trusted time
Time is ubiquitous – it is a hidden service that keeps everything ticking along. Our internet connectivity, financial trading, energy and telecommunications systems, and navigation services all rely on accurate time. The distribution of timing is now largely done through Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) like GPS, as it offers quick and easy access to accurate timing wherever you are. While this has unlocked countless benefits for society, the UK’s 2018 Blackett Review highlighted vulnerabilities in our reliance on GNSS-derived timing. GNSS signals are extremely weak and vulnerable to natural and malicious ground-based interference, meaning that the reliability of timing signals from it cannot be guaranteed.
NPL, the birthplace of atomic timekeeping and the home of UK time, conceived and is leading the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme, which was established in response to the Blackett Review. The NTC programme will pave the way for trusted and assured time distribution across the UK.
Understanding regulatory needs
Working one day a week with the NTC team at NPL, led by Dr Leon Lobo, Dr Watson helped identify legislation and regulation needs for the NTC programme and in support of the developing national PNT strategy, as part of the year-long project, which started on 1 June 2020.This included reaching out to the regulatory community to better assess how we currently regulate for time, identify the common themes and outline any areas for improvement. The findings from the project will play an important role in the understanding of satellite derived time and supporting the delivery of resilient timing in the UK. Dr Watson now sits on NPL’s National Timing Centre (NTC) technical advisory committee.
The impact
While the project has largely been conducted virtually on Teams, Dr Watson’s unique experience with regulators has helped NPL to explore these considerations for timing, and its role in critical national infrastructure.
In return, AWE has gained expertise on the timing requirements for its own operations and a further grounding in quantum technologies from the project.
About Dr Joe Watson
Dr Joe Watson, a chartered Physicist and Fellow of the Institute of Physics (IoP), has been at AWE for 20 years. In that time, he has worked on the former HELEN laser facility, designed ORION beamlines, performed electrical system and neutron generator support, and currently represents AWE as a member of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee. He also conceived and now directs the UK government’s Nuclear Threat Reduction (NTR) Electromagnetic & Quantum Sensing research programme on behalf of the Home Office and MoD.
Currently, and related to his project with NPL, Dr Watson is working alongside colleagues preparing AWE for an impending rise in second generation quantum technologies and contributes to the Cabinet Office’s PNT strategy group identifying PNT Legislation, Regulations and Standards (LRS) within civil defence nuclear sectors.
About Dr Leon Lobo
Dr Leon Lobo is Head of the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme at NPL, the UK’s National Metrology Institute.
Dr Lobo joined NPL in 2011 as Group Leader for the Time & Frequency group, working with the team managing the UK’s time scale and developing quantum frequency standards. He led the team developing NPLTime®, NPL’s certified fibre-delivered time dissemination solution to the City of London for high frequency trading systems and regulatory compliance.
About the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme
Led by NPL, the National Timing Centre (NTC) programme will pave the way for trusted and assured time and frequency distribution across the UK. The NTC programme is funded by the UKRI’s Strategic Priorities Fund and will develop a secure infrastructure at locations across the country. It will help to improve security and resilience in national time and frequency distribution, whilst supporting UK innovation and skills.
The programme has three objectives:
Objective 1: Deliver a resilient UK national time infrastructure through the building and linking of a new atomic clock network distributed geographically in secure locations.
Objective 2: Provide innovation opportunities for UK companies through funding projects in partnership with Innovate UK based on a successful NPL and Innovate UK partnership model.
Objective 3: Respond to the specialist skills shortage in time and synchronisation solutions through specialist, apprentice and post graduate training opportunities.
About STEM Futures
STEM Futures is an enterprise-wide approach to capability development. It was set up to develop technical skills, knowledge and experience through on-the-job learning via placements supplemented by education, enhancing personal networks and reducing training costs. The programme looks to build collaboration between partner organisations, specifically targeting niche and scarce skills areas. Far from the preserve of early career scientists, this example shows the benefits it can offer for experienced professionals too.
If you’d be interested in pursuing your own STEM Future project, contact: [email protected]
Image courtesy of NPL
