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SAN DIEGO - Scientists at Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific are pushing the boundaries of navigation technology with their research on quantum-enhanced fiber optic gyroscopes (FOGs). This innovative work focuses on mitigating noise and increasing the flux in quantum FOGs to achieve unprecedented precision in angular rotation sensitivity which is critical for the Navy’s navigation and operational superiority.
Fiber optic gyroscopes are essential tools for inertial navigation, enabling precise orientation without reliance on GPS, according to Joanna Ptasinski, head of NIWC Pacific’s Cryogenic Electronics and Quantum Research branch. By integrating quantum mechanics, specifically entangled photon states known as N00N states, the NIWC Pacific research team is developing technology which is expected to eventually surpass classical limits of sensitivity.
“This work is particularly significant for long-duration missions in GPS-denied environments where accurate navigation is vital for warfighter safety and mission success,” said Ptasinski.
Traditional FOGs rely on classical light to measure angular velocity, but their precision is constrained by something known as “shot noise,” a fundamental limit in classical optics. Quantum-enhanced FOGs instead leverage the unique properties of entangled photons to enable the possibility of achieving sub-shot noise precision.
Ptasinski explained that Quantum FOGs are expected to offer significantly improved precision compared to current FOGs under similar operational conditions. The team is working to bridge the gap between current FOG technology and the quantum realm, paving the way for these advanced gyroscopes.
“Our work mitigates one of the key obstacles in quantum FOGs: uncorrelated photon noise,” said Ptasinski. “By identifying optimal phase bias angles and suppressing noise sources, we’ve paved the way for more reliable and precise quantum gyroscopes.”
The NIWC Pacific team has recently identified new potential research opportunities after examining two previous experiments on quantum FOGs conducted by other teams, according to Ptasinski. A key noise analysis pinpointed the limitations preventing one experiment from reaching its theoretical performance limit, while it was confirmed that a second experiment did not reach the full potential of the N00N state.
Both experiments underscore the importance of continuing such research, according to Ptasinski, as the ability to navigate accurately without external signals is a cornerstone of modern naval operations.
This work demonstrates why it is more important than ever to understand how quantum-enhanced FOGs can offer a robust solution for submarines, unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), and surface ships operating in contested or GPS-denied environments. These systems could also play a pivotal role in missile guidance and other defense applications requiring ultra-precise orientation.
“Precision navigation is not just a technological advantage; it’s a strategic necessity,” she said. “The Navy’s investment in quantum technologies like this ensures we remain at the forefront of innovation, ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s battlespace.”
Ptasinski and Stefan Evans, who led a detailed analysis of detector limitations in quantum FOGs over the past few months, noted that these findings are expected to guide future planned experiments to improve the technology.
“This research highlights the potential of exploring higher-order N00N states and improving photon flux to create quantum super-resolved navigation systems for fleet-wide deployment,” said Ptasinski.
Such advancements will enhance mission effectiveness and operational resilience, exemplifying the Navy's commitment to leveraging cutting-edge science and technology for national defense and demonstrating its dedication to innovation and excellence.
For more information on this and other groundbreaking research, visit https://www.niwcpacific.navy.mil/.
NOTICE: AI tools were used to improve readability of this information. Factual accuracy of all content was verified by relevant DoD personnel in compliance with DoD policies.
| Date Taken: | 11.17.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.17.2025 16:56 |
| Story ID: | 551444 |
| Location: | SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 37 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, NIWC Pacific Advances Work on Quantum-Enhanced Fiber Optic Gyroscopes, by Darian Wilson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
