The company is developing quantum diamond magnetometers capable of providing readings from space. The technology will help collect data around fluctuating ocean currents and temperatures. And also changes to Earth’s magnetic field.
Funded through ESA’s FutureEO Programme, the deal is worth nearly $1 million USD (€800,000). And the project will see the company delivering a prototype for space deployment.
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This is the second such contract for ESA. The upgraded version of the device will remain the same size and weight says SBQuantum. It will, however, deliver improved sensitivity (sub 100 Picotesla), higher bandwidth (400 Hz) and greater accuracy (200 Picotesla) as required by ESA for advanced EO missions.
The device itself is a diamond quantum magnetometer which works using a laser and an NV diamond to generate quantum effects.
Quantum sensors
Securing this second contract with ESA is the latest in a series of strong signals from the market indicating the vast potential our quantum magnetometers offer as a sensor deployed in space,” said David Roy-Guay, CEO and Founder at SBQuantum, right.
“The Earth and its ecosystem are evolving, and humankind needs to better monitor changes in ocean currents and temperatures, among many other transformations, so we can fully understand them, prepare and adapt.”
Roy-Guay also highlights what he describes as a byproduct of demonstrating the quantum sensors’ space readiness.
“By combining this highly accurate sensor with advanced interpretation algorithms, our Magnetic Intelligence product will also unlock novel security applications for an increasingly uncertain world,” he adds.
“Our mission is to remain at the cutting edge of applied quantum sensing.”
Magnetometer design
As mentioned, this quantum sensors award follows a previous contract which saw SBQuantum provide a magnetometer design to ESA. This was customised to meet the agency’s requirements for Earth observation.
The company also flags that it is one of three finalists in a ‘MagQuest Challenge’. Organised by the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the winning technology will monitor Earth’s magnetic field and its movements for decades to come.
SBQuantum is a Canadian spin-off from the Université de Sherbrooke. Its headquarters are in Sherbrooke, in a quantum technology hub in the south of Quebec province.
Canada’s is a non-European cooperating state of the ESA.
See also: ESA consortium makes first 5.5G NR-NTN connection via LEO satellites
