QS-RACC, short for Quantum Silicon carbide -- Rapid Analysis of Colour Centres, develops measurement capability to identify, quantify and characterise the properties and concentration of the wider family of quantum colour centre defects fabricated in silicon carbide wafers. This project directly supports product development at Nascent Semiconductor, which is harnessing the unique properties of the wide band gap semiconductor silicon carbide to develop practical quantum-enabled solid-state MASERs and magnetometers that will underpin a sovereign capability in ruggedised Precision Navigation and Timing. The fundamental building block to these technologies is silicon carbide semiconductor chips with controlled incorporation of addressable quantum colour centre defects with spin and electronic properties suitable for interaction with microwave energies. The challenge in silicon carbide is the number of allowable defect states within the lattice structure, all with differing quantum properties, and how these can be controlled in manufacture to select the defect of choice. This is a key step to the realisation of a mass-manufacturable quantum device. The project harnesses existing knowledge at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in photoluminescence (PL) measurement of quantum defect systems to develop capability that enables the project partners to address the key challenge in characterising the wider defect family in silicon carbide -- the measurement itself. The defects undergo weak optical emission beyond 1000 nm wavelength, and there is currently no known capability in the UK for measuring them. The project will identify improvements to detection capability with a view to simplifying deployment of the measurement in an industrial setting. These developments will be coupled with Nascent Semiconductor's existing capability in Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance (ODMR) characterisation to design an upgraded system capable of probing the interaction with magnetic fields and microwave frequencies, such that the technologically relevant properties of the defect family and their impact on the quantum behaviour of current and future products can be measured directly. The intention is that the upgraded measurement capability will be used to inform on a modified fabrication run at Nascent Semiconductor aiming to further optimise the defect centres present which will be measured in the final stage of the project. The outcome of the project will deliver a report for the upgraded PL measurement setup capability and a design for long wavelength ODMR capability suitable to characterise technologically relevant quantum defects in silicon carbide, developing capability not currently available in the UK.

QS-EXACT, Quantum SiC for EXtreme Application Clock Technology, will integrate a series of building block technologies developed by UK industry into a robust timing system built by Nascent Semiconductor. This technology takes a new approach to the realisation of a precision clock that is highly accurate and will result in stable timing systems which are crucial to the operation of a wide range of infrastructure. There are a number of different types of atomic clock currently in operation, ranging in size, accuracy, and stability. Typical atomic clocks use microwave emissions from rubidium or caesium as a frequency standard. An example of a more accurate clock is based on the hydrogen MASER (the microwave equivalent to the LASER). However, these MASER systems are very large and unsuited to many applications. This project will exploit the quantum mechanical properties of atomic scale defects in silicon carbide, a wide bandgap semiconductor, to create a clock with a unique combination of stability, accuracy, portability and durability. The electronic structure of the silicon vacancy defect in silicon carbide results in the emission of a spectrally pure microwave signal when the defects are optically excited; allowing for the construction of a solid state silicon carbide MASER. Such an approach to crafting a clock is advantageous in a number of ways. Silicon carbide has exemplary physical properties and so such a system will be intrinsically resilient and radiation hard. The system does not suffer from stability issues that restrict the deployment of other clocks, as the frequency of the MASER is constrained by the quantum properties of the defects. The technology will offer a more compact and durable timing system that those currently available, but with a comparable performance. As a result it will be ideally suited for operations in challenging environments, from subsea to space, navigating submarines and delivering precision on-orbit operations.

Quantum Technology is a key enabler in a wide range of fields of strategic importance to the UK as evidenced in the National Quantum Strategy. One of the key challenges facing engineers is the translation of fundamental concepts from the laboratory to a consumer-friendly system. For the UK to be able to exploit the revolutionary capability of Quantum Technology, miniaturised, low power, easily integrateable systems will be required. The role that semiconductors will play in miniaturisation cannot be over emphasised. Semiconductors, such as silicon carbide, offer a unique opportunity for quantum technology. As a wide bandgap semiconductor it enables the formation of defects that can be controlled with sufficient lifetime to realise the coherent control of their states, whilst the high level of technology maturity, enables the integration with existing semiconductor devices and processing. This unique blend of properties makes this the ideal candidate for Quantum Applications. In order for the UK to fully exploit these unique capabilities and realise practical Quantum systems, it is necessary to increase the number of engineers and scientists that are trained in both the theoretical underpinning quantum physics, as is typically found in a University education, and in the practical implementation of the fundamental principles to a working system, which is the primary function of the company. This project addresses this critical need, by providing training for people seeking to work in the development of practical quantum systems and technology and has been designed specifically to ensure that the UK maintains its leading position in the field of Quantum Technology. The technical content will encompass the fundamentals of quantum physics and semiconductor theory, outline the unique opportunities of defect states in wide bandgap semiconductors and their characterisation. It will explain the fabrication and processing of semiconductors to optimise defect performance, and conclude with an in-depth series of case studies that describe the potential use cases and how these relate to the future needs of UK industry and academia. Through innovative design and packaging, this project will combine state-of-the-art technical content with modern training delivery to both educate and promote quantum technology skills, increasing accessibility and uptake. Alongside the incorporation of technical content into traditional academic delivery models (e.g. lectures), our application-based micro-learning content will be pushed to wider audiences from more diverse backgrounds.

Power electronics is a key enabling technology in a wide range of fields that are critical to the achievement of the net zero carbon agenda. One of the key challenges facing engineers is the realisation of carbon neutral aerospace, with the requirements for ultra-high efficiency, highly reliable power electronic systems, that occupy a limited volume, being the critical challenge. These aerospace requirements provide a different challenge to those posed by electric vehicles and renewable energy integration. Wide bandgap semiconductors, such as silicon carbide are now dominant in the power electronics field for a range of end user applications, including electric vehicles and renewable energy systems. For aerospace applications, the need for higher operating temperatures, the increased risk of lightning strikes and the enhanced cosmic ray flux mean that aerospace faces unique challenges that require different skills to other fields. These differences mean that concepts that are taught in conventional power electronics courses, both within academia and industry do not equip engineers with the unique skills required to make a contribution to the field of electric aircraft. This project addresses that need, by providing training for people working in the aerospace industry and has been designed specifically to ensure that the UK maintains its leading position in the electrification of aircraft. The training will encompass the fundamental advantages of wide bandgap semiconductors, focussing on silicon carbide, before outlining the unique challenges to the aerospace industry and the potential solutions. Case study materials will be provided by Rolls Royce as their contribution to the project, which will cover the development of fault tolerant power supplies for aerospace systems and these will be used as a vehicle to demonstrate the viability of the solutions.