Modular Systems for Advanced Integrated Quantum Clocks

2026-07-22

Optical atomic clocks are amazingly stable frequency standards, which would be off by only one second over the age of the universe. Bringing those clocks from the laboratory into a portable form will have a large impact on telecommunication (e.g. network synchronization, GPS free navigation), geology (e.g. monitoring of water tables or ice sheets), astronomy (e.g. gravitational wave detection, radio telescope synchronization), and other fields. MoSaiQC will train 15 ESRs in this quantum technology, giving them hands-on experience in all aspects of optical clocks, from theoretical foundations, over the development of advanced components (e.g. laser systems, vacuum, electronics,...), to applications in all relevant industry sectors. The ESRs will push the boundaries of clock technology, especially in view of advanced, portable clocks and a promising, so far not realized type of clocks, superradiant clocks. Most MoSaiQC partners are also partners of the Quantum Flagship consortium iqClock, which combines academia and industry for research on optical clocks. MoSaiQC exploits the excellent research of iqClock, and goes one step beyond in its goals. We will build modules for a portable clock with higher integration than possible by iqClock and we will prepare the foundations for a portable superradiant clock. The MoSaiQC training will provide a broad range of transferable skills ranging from communication to ethics and from business acumen to gender issues. Secondment, visits, summer schools and other network events will provide opportunities to gain broad experience beyond the know-how of the hosting partner and allows the ESRs to establish long-lasting connections to international peers and stakeholders in academia and industry. MoSaiQC will prepare the ESRs for important roles in the Quantum Revolution 2.0 that is taking off now.

Netherlands, United Kingdom, Poland, Denmark, Austria, Germany

2026-02-01