Grants and Contributions

Navigation in the Arctic without GPS is a major issue of sovereignty and national security, particularly in the context of conflict or jamming. This project is developing a strategy for a Canadian capability based on magnetic field mapping, utilizing sovereign quantum and space-based sensor capabilities. The business model for the sale of magnetic maps and navigation equipment will be refined, security requirements and standards will be identified, and consultations with defence users will clarify the capabilities and roadmap for this sovereign navigation capability.

While quantum magnetometers have achieved remarkable sensitivity, accuracy and stability can be key to real-world deployment. The Project exploits the quantum states of nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond to target development of a portable vector magnetometer with best-in-class accuracy. Comprising experts in NV physics, quantum control and optimization, and machine learning, along with scientists from startup SBQuantum skilled in magnetometer design, calibration and deployment, SBQuantum will tackle this challenge across multiple fronts, from improved fundamental physical models to optimized control and state-of-the-art machine learning calibrations. Highly accurate vector magnetometry opens the door to stable sensor arrays that can detect and differentiate magnetic and conductive materials, a key capability for security technology. SBQuantum will also examine optimal strategies to deploy its accurate vector magnetometers for remote threat detection, laying the groundwork for commercial and defence applications that could significantly impact Canadian society.

The Firm is looking to identify co-innovation partners who can share expertise in improved sensitivity diamond sensors and partners interested in bringing their technology to markets outside of defense, mining and navigation.

Use AI to establish relationships between the physical parameters limiting the accuracy of diamond-based quantum magnetometers, in order to refine vector magnetometry models and adapt the magnetic field drift compensation model.

The project aims to improve a diamond-based vector magnetometer by exploring approaches to quantum control without bias magnets, thereby increasing its sensitivity for geophysical exploration surveys.

This project of SB Quantum (Canada) is part of UKRI Quantum - 10074338 - QUAMINEX (QUantum Accelerated Mining EXploration) with Innovate UK (UK) and aims to combine two innovative geophysical surveying technologies, gravimetry and magnetometry, within a mobile sensor platform to provide enhanced potential field data for exploration of critical minerals.

Improvement of sensor refresh rate and accuracy by improved modeling of quantum phenomena, on a diamond-based quantum magnetometer.

SBQuantum (SBQ) is introducing ‘Magnetic Intelligence’ (MI), combining multiple
innovations in magnetometry to enhance operational teams’ ability to ‘see’ underground,underwater or in other obscured environments. The Project will involve collaboration between SBQuantum, McGill University, Institut Quantique at Université de Sherbrooke and the National Research Council to explore the use of a novel quantum sensor, a magnetometer based on quantum impurities in diamonds, to enhance the understanding of the magnetic environment compared to conventional magnetometers. It will improve users understanding of magnetic data and open novel market opportunities, beyond the traditional defense and geophysical applications. SBQ intends to create a new system which will leverage the strengths of the quantum sensor to enhance MI, to be known as the ‘Sherloq’product. Centrally it will remove the limits to current alternatives and unlock new deployment methods, such as on autonomous submarines and unmanned aerial vehicles.