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Robotic arm to revolutionize quantum engineering

Researchers at the University of Bristol unveil robotic arm designed to speed up and enhance quantum experiments

Representative image / Image - Unsplash

Researchers at the Quantum Engineering Technology Labs and the Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL) at the University of Bristol unveiled a robotic arm designed to revolutionize quantum experiments. Krishna C. Balram, an associate professor in photonic quantum engineering at the University of Bristol, co-authored the research on the technology.

The robotic arm, equipped with a powerful permanent magnet, helped navigate intricate quantum sensors. This advancement will significantly aid quantum research, which is known for its demand for highly controlled environments involving ultra-low temperatures. 

By incorporating robotic features into quantum experiments, researchers hope to improve prototyping speed, control, and robustness. According to them, it has the potential to hasten the progress of quantum research by allowing for more rapid, precise, and complex experimentation. 

The research findings were published in the journal Advanced Science. Explaining its significance, Balram said, “This work demonstrates the importance of bringing developments from other fields, in this case, robotics, to advance quantum technologies."

Lead author Dr. Joe Smith, senior research associate in the School of Electrical, Electronic, and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol, added, "We couldn't have performed this experiment using standard lab components, so we decided to look into robotics. We've shown that robotic arms are mature enough to navigate very complex settings."

The robotic arm's high-strength magnet can be positioned in three-dimensional space at any angle, providing flexibility in navigating around obstacles. It paves the way for new avenues in quantum sensing experiments.

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