Deep Ultraviolet Laser For Quantum Technology

Project Information

UVQuanT

Grant agreement ID: 101080164

DOI

10.3030/101080164

EC signature date 18 August 2022

Start date 1 October 2022

End date 30 September 2026

Funded under

• Digital, Industry and Space

Total cost

€ 2 988 332,50

EU contribution

€ 2 988 332,25

Coordinated by

MAX-PLANCK-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTEN EV
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - UVQuanT (Deep Ultraviolet Laser For Quantum Technology)

Reporting period: 2024-04-01 to 2025-09-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

During the first three years, UVQuanT has advanced from design and early prototyping to the realisation of fully functioning demonstrator systems. The consortium has developed new high-power infrared and visible VECSEL lasers, environmentally protected frequency-conversion resonators, and a suite of specialised DUV optical components including coatings, mirrors, polarising elements, nonlinear crystals, and vacuum viewports.

These components have been integrated into complete laser systems producing stable DUV output at several key wavelengths. As a result, the project has enabled scientific breakthroughs that were previously out of reach. Using the new light sources, partners have demonstrated laser cooling and trapping of cadmium atoms at the shortest wavelength ever used in such experiments, breaking a nearly twenty-year-old record. Shortly afterwards, partners achieved the first laser cooling of aluminium monofluoride (AlF) molecules, opening a new class of molecular species for quantum experiments. Most recently, the consortium achieved the first magneto-optical trap of zinc, providing a strong validation of the reliability and performance of the new DUV systems.

Alongside these scientific results, industrial partners have produced tangible technological outcomes. These include high-damage-threshold coatings, hermetically sealed conversion resonators with precision temperature control, improved nonlinear crystals, and durable optical components capable of long-term operation at high DUV intensities. Several of these components are already being adopted by European laboratories outside the project.

Throughout this period, the consortium has worked closely across disciplines: laser developers refining designs based on feedback from end users, optical manufacturers improving component durability, and academic groups integrating the systems into quantum-technology experiments. This coordinated approach has accelerated development and ensured that the resulting technologies are scientifically useful and technically robust.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

UVQuanT is contributing advances that go beyond the current limits of optical and quantum-technology research. The project has demonstrated that continuous-wave DUV lasers can be made significantly more reliable and cost-effective than existing systems. This provides a foundation for future devices that combine high performance with practical usability.

The scientific results achieved so far—such as the record-breaking laser cooling results and the first MOT of zinc—open new directions for quantum sensors, clocks, and simulation platforms. Access to strong and stable DUV light makes it possible to work with atomic and molecular species that were previously inaccessible, offering improved accuracy for next-generation optical clocks and new opportunities for measuring fundamental physical constants.

On the technological side, UVQuanT is helping to build a European supply chain for DUV photonics, reducing reliance on non-European manufacturers. The project strengthens Europe’s capabilities in areas such as semiconductor metrology, precision spectroscopy, environmental sensing, and chemical analysis. The improved DUV optics developed within the project—mirrors, coatings, polarising optics, and vacuum viewports—also support wider industrial applications where durability and resistance to UV damage are crucial.

To ensure further uptake, several factors will be important: continued refinement of conversion efficiency and long-term stability; scaling up production of the new optical components; engagement with early adopters in quantum technologies and materials science; and strengthening links with industry to prepare future commercial products. The technologies developed here can form the basis of new measurement instruments, industrial sensors, and quantum-technology demonstrators, offering a clear path from research to practical application.

Overall, UVQuanT lays the foundation for Europe to become a leader in deep-ultraviolet laser technology, enabling scientific discoveries, supporting emerging quantum technologies, and enhancing Europe’s technological sovereignty in a strategically important field.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The impacts of the advancements highlighted above are significant, both within quantum technologies and beyond:
Enhanced Quantum Technologies: Developed DUV lasers will enable more accurate and portable atomic clocks.
New Applications in Science and Industry: High-power DUV lasers open up applications in:
Semiconductor Inspection: High-resolution inspection of semiconductor wafers.
Biochemical Analysis: Sensitive detection tools for environmental monitoring and medical diagnostics.
Material Science: Characterization of new materials for advanced technologies.
Support for Fundamental Research: Stable DUV light facilitates groundbreaking research in quantum simulation, sensing, and precision measurement, leading to new discoveries in fundamental physics.
To ensure the uptake and success of UVQuanT's innovations, the following needs must be addressed:
Further Research and Development: Continued research to refine and enhance DUV laser technologies.
Demonstration Projects: Real-world projects to showcase the practical applications and benefits of DUV lasers.
Access to Markets and Finance: Securing funding and market access for commercialization, involving venture capital and public funding.
Commercialization and IPR Support: Robust strategies for intellectual property rights and commercialization to protect and market innovations.
Internationalization: Establishing international collaborations and partnerships to enhance global reach and impact.
The UVQuanT project has made significant progress in DUV light generation. Our advancements lay the groundwork for new applications in quantum technologies and beyond. By addressing key needs such as further research, demonstration, market access, and regulatory support, we can ensure the successful uptake and impact of these innovations. With continued effort, DUV lasers will revolutionize various scientific and industrial fields.