Quantum may have earned its reputation inside pristine laboratories filled with vacuum chambers, vibration-isolated optics tables and physicists surviving on lukewarm tea, but the technology is now proving it can perform far beyond the lab.
We are delighted that our Locked Laser System played a key role in the successful sea trials of CPI TMD Technologies’ HARLEQUIN quantum-hybrid inertial navigation system, a significant milestone in demonstrating that quantum sensors can operate reliably in real maritime environments, not just controlled laboratory conditions.
The project marks the first real-world deployment of the locked laser system supporting cold-atom technology at sea. We are also pleased to confirm that, despite challenging conditions, the ship, the lasers and the engineers all made it through the trials in one piece.
The Locked Laser System aboard the Trinity House vessel THV Galatea
The trials followed months of collaboration between CPI TMD Technologies, the University of Strathclyde, Covesion Ltd, Trinity House, NLA International and Innovate UK. Together, the team achieved a major industry first: successfully operating a quantum-enabled measurement system aboard a moving vessel in conditions ranging from calm waters to three-metre swells and wind gusts exceeding 50 mph.
HARLEQUIN, High Accuracy Robust deployabLE Quantum Inertial Navigation, combines classical inertial navigation systems with a quantum cold-atom accelerometer to deliver highly accurate acceleration and rotation measurements. The hybrid system is designed to maintain reliable Positioning, Navigation and Timing (PNT) capabilities even when GPS signals are unavailable, degraded or intentionally disrupted.
A particularly significant achievement within the project was the first maritime deployment of a grating-based Magneto-Optical Trap for atom interferometry. Compact, inherently stable and highly resistant to environmental disturbance, the system enables cold-atom sensing without requiring laboratory-grade isolation.
At the heart of the cold-atom sensor are ultra-stable laser systems used to cool, trap and manipulate atoms. For the sea trials, Covesion supplied a ruggedised locked-laser platform, now part of the Radiantis portfolio, engineered to withstand vibration, temperature fluctuations, magnetic field variation and continuous ship motion. During testing aboard the Trinity House vessel THV Galatea, the systems demonstrated excellent frequency stability, power stability and tunability for the rubidium cold-atom trap. Even while the vessel operated at full speed, the lasers showed minimal performance degradation and strong resilience to both mechanical and acoustic noise.
The laser systems continued operating reliably despite being installed on the vessel’s tween deck, surrounded by engines, tools and constant motion, conditions a world away from the carefully controlled calm of a typical optics laboratory. Nevertheless, the systems performed consistently throughout the voyage.
Setting up on the tween deck
The trial team installed the HARLEQUIN accelerometer apparatus, two HARLEQUIN laser systems, Covesion’s LL2-Rb source, diagnostic equipment and supporting engineering infrastructure onto the tween deck of the Galatea. Normally reserved for tools and machinery, the space was transformed into a fully functioning floating quantum laboratory for several days.
The route of the THV Galatea
The vessel travelled from Cardiff to the Irish coast and onward to Holyhead, alternating between sailing and anchoring in rapidly changing weather conditions. Throughout the journey, the team monitored environmental noise sources, tracked magnetic field variations and compared laser performance against temperature, pressure and vibration measurements. The resulting dataset provides valuable insight into how the system behaves under genuine operational stresses.
The sea trials form part of the wider HARLEQUIN-ST programme, funded by Innovate UK. The project is helping pave the way for deployable quantum PNT systems for maritime applications, with future demonstrations expected to incorporate additional technologies including an optical clock and gravity gradiometer.
For us, the successful trials reinforce the suitability of its photonic technologies not only for research environments but also for deployment in demanding real-world applications. The project highlights the growing importance of rugged, deployable photonics as we accelerate towards operational quantum technologies.
These trials demonstrate that next-generation quantum navigation systems are ready to move beyond controlled laboratory environments and into practical use. The successful operation of the locked laser system aboard the Galatea is another step towards bringing quantum technologies into everyday operational settings, at sea, on land and wherever the technology is needed next.
And as it turns out, yes… we can sail it.
