A pioneering consortium led by Sonardyne, a prominent marine technology company, has secured £2.7 million in funding from the Innovate UK Commercializing Quantum Technologies Challenge to develop an innovative underwater single photon mapping and imaging system. This groundbreaking project aims to create advanced technology capable of providing high-resolution 3D images across different underwater environments.
The consortium comprises six key industrial, research, and academic institutions, each contributing their expertise to the collaborative effort. Sonardyne International Ltd is taking the lead on the project, coordinating system integration and testing. Meanwhile, Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd is working on developing the laser system and conducting environmental testing, and RedWave Labs Ltd is responsible for designing and constructing the control electronics for the pulsed laser source. Additionally, Photon Force Ltd is focused on developing a next-generation 1D SPAD array sensor, while Heriot-Watt University is applying its knowledge to the design of the transceiver system and single-photon imaging techniques. The University of Edinburgh is also lending its experience in designing SPADs for 3D imaging to the project.
The ultimate goal of the project is to create a subsea mapping system using innovative single photon array detector technology, combined with a laser capable of producing extremely short and high-power pulses of light. This system is intended for deployment on a subsea vehicle and will have the capability to generate high altitude 3D maps above the sea floor.
The use of single photon imaging detection technology sets this project apart from existing techniques, as it allows for the generation of highly detailed images even in conditions with low light and murky water. This innovative technology will enable the system to operate at altitudes and speeds beyond the capabilities of current optically-based systems.
“The possibilities that this ground-breaking technology will open up are breath-taking and we cannot wait to see it in action,” said Darryl Newborough, Technical Director at Sonardyne International Ltd.
The development of high-resolution 3D maps is of increasing importance for a variety of subsea applications, including offshore wind farm installations, oil and gas rig decommissioning, environmental monitoring, and security operations. As the world continues to prioritize environmental conservation and shift towards cleaner energy sources, the demand for detailed seabed information will only continue to grow.
With the project already underway for two years, testing of the prototype equipment is set to commence in April 2024. This marks an exciting step towards the realization of the consortium’s vision for a ground-breaking underwater single photon mapping and imaging system that will revolutionize underwater imaging capability.
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