Researchers at the University of Rochester are developing photonic chips that could replace the gyroscopes currently used by unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, allowing them to fly in places where GPS signals are jammed or unavailable. Using a quantum technique called weak value amplification, the scientists aim to provide the same level of sensitivity as bulk optical gyroscopes in a small, handheld photonic chip, potentially changing the way drones navigate.

Jaime Cardenas, associate professor at the Institute of Optics, has received new funding from the National Science Foundation to develop the chip by 2026. Current state-of-the-art drones use fiber optic gyroscopes that contain kilometers of fiber optic spools or have limited dynamic range, Cardenas said.

With funding from the National Science Foundation, researchers at the University of Rochester are developing photonic chips that use a quantum technology called weak value amplification to replace the mechanical gyroscopes used in drones. Source: University of Rochester/J.Adam Fenster

"Today, gyroscope sensitivity and stability must come with a fundamental trade-off between size and weight," he said. "As drones, unmanned aerial vehicles and satellites become smaller and more ubiquitous, the need for ultra-small navigation-grade gyroscopes will become critical. The most advanced micro-gyros are compact and rugged, but have performance shortcomings that hinder their use in navigation."

Cardenas believes that the weak-value amplification method has advantages over traditional methods because it can enhance the signal of the interferometry without having to pay the price of amplifying the noise of many techniques. However, previous demonstrations of weak-value amplification required complex laboratory setups and precise alignment; Cardenas worked to achieve weak-value amplification on a tiny photonic chip with a high-quality factor ring resonator.

Cardenas' collaborators on the project include physicist Andrew Jordan, who taught at the University of Rochester and is now at Chapman University. Cardenas said he will also work with the David T. Kearns Center for Leadership and Diversity at the University of Rochester to expand participation from underrepresented groups by providing research experiences for high school students in the Rochester City School District to inspire their aspirations for STEM careers.

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