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India could soon have its own multi-channel, tunable laser system technology platforms, crucial for quantum optics laboratories, thanks to a spinoff company from the Raman Research Institute (RRI), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology. These indigenous platforms promise to lower the costs of quantum optics labs and have applications in medicine, remote sensing, geo-mapping, and space.
High-precision laser systems are at the core of any quantum optics laboratory, but their high costs have hindered cutting-edge research and industrial applications based on quantum technology. RRI has developed the technology for precision laser systems necessary for quantum-enabled technology applications and industrial uses.
Recently, RRI awasam
dalone laser system with frequency tunability and precision control.’
Last year, India embarked on the ambitious Rs. 6,000 crore (about US$ 740 million) National Quantum Mission (NQM), and RRI is contributing towards creating an ecosystem to enable the smooth implementation of quantum-based technology solutions. Tunable lasers, known as External Cavity Diode Lasers (ECDL), are precise spectroscopic tools designed to address quantum systems in research and technology labs. These tunable laser systems will be crucial for developing solutions in quantum communication, technology, systems, and metrology, all core themes of the DST-led NQM.
The development of the tunable laser system began in 2017, transitioning the control electronics technology for lasers from analogue to digital mode. The founder explained, “By tweaking the mechanical assembly for laser diodes and performing basic re-programming to extend features, our system can be customised for various end-user requirements. It offers a versatile range of applications in medicine, remote sensing, geo-mapping, space, and marine navigation, among others. Additionally, the need for auxiliary systems and instruments, which add to the overall costs, is eliminated with the laser systems.”
These laser systems can be purchased as an integrated package or a sub-system, making them highly cost-effective. RRI and its spinoff aim to create a template for others in academia working in the quantum domain to pursue entrepreneurship in India. Professor Sadiq Rangwala, from the Light and Matter group at RRI and Principal Technical Advisor to the company, remarked, “This venture contributes to setting up a high-end scientific ecosystem in the country. The development of a future-compliant prototype laser system is critical for supporting the upcoming NQM.”
The strength of the spinoff lies in the work undertaken at RRI’s Quantum Interactions (QuaInt) lab, which has over two decades of experience in this domain. The lab envisions providing high-quality yet cost-effective solutions to users beyond academia. Professor Rangwala added, “Our lab’s multi-disciplinary approach to working on the interactions between quantum systems has resulted in multiple products, augmenting our lab’s self-reliance and enhancing research in quantum physics.”
In addition to the precision tunable laser system, the company offers other products such as precision time taggers for counting single-photon events in quantum applications, ultra-fast seed fibre lasers for various pulsed laser applications, and Q-switched fibre and diode lasers commonly used for metal 3D printing.
As India prepares to take a ‘quantum’ leap through the NQM, there will be a need for an ecosystem to build a plethora of customised lasers and associated instruments to meet various quantum technology-oriented goals. This will create a high demand for skilled employees to develop indigenous quantum technology-based solutions. Subodh emphasised the need for skilled engineers and PhDs to work within an interdisciplinary environment to build high-quality and reliable laser systems.
RRI and its spinoff are poised to revolutionise the field of quantum optics, providing affordable and advanced laser solutions that will propel India to the forefront of quantum technology research and applications.
