Photonics illuminates the path to next-generation Q-PNT devices

By Matt Himsworth (Aquark Technologies) and Prajwal Doddaballapura (Eblana Photonics).

Read the full article in Photonics Spectra, March 2026.

Aquark Technologies and Eblana Photonics are developing ways to integrate the precision of quantum measurement for practical Q-PNT use (quantum positioning, navigation, and timing). This article highlights how quantum-enabled photonics is the emerging technology driving a new era of ultra‑precise navigation and timing.

As the demand for greater performance, bandwidth, and efficiency accelerates, advances in quantum‑enabled photonics are unlocking new opportunities to enhance data integrity across both scientific and commercial applications.

Consumer phones contain a multitude of sensors, including accelerometers, rotation sensors, magnetometers, barometers, and positional triangulation from cell towers. Each serves as a data source, outputting measures that are collected by an inertial navigation system (INS). After it collects these values, it then churns through a sequence of numerous equations to ultimately yield the coveted PNT estimate.