Quantic Wenzel, a business of Quantic Electronics and an industry leader in mission-critical frequency control and timing solutions, has joined forces with the Australian Research Council (ARC) Centre of Excellence for Engineered Quantum Systems (EQUS) to explore the effects of cosmic rays on quartz crystal oscillators.
Research will take place inside Australia’s deep-underground facility, the Stawell Underground Physics Laboratory (SUPL), which will soon host the cryogenic Experimental Laboratory for Low-background Australian Research (CELLAR). The laboratory will provide an ideal environment to examine how cosmic rays influence the phase noise and performance of quartz crystal oscillators.
“SUPL’s unique environment, along with the CELLAR infrastructure being installed this February, will enable us to test oscillators in ways that were previously impossible, potentially revealing new insights into oscillator phase noise limitations,” said Mehran Moss, Chief Engineer at Quantic Wenzel. Dr. Maxim Goryachev, EQUS Researcher, said, “This partnership will bring unprecedented clarity to the field, expanding our understanding of fundamental physics while advancing innovation in quantum technologies and high-tech industries.”
SUPL’s location over 3,300 feet underground will provide an exceptional shield against cosmic radiation, and is ideal for groundbreaking research. CELLAR, funded by the ARC LIEF scheme, will enable cryogenic and precision measurements at SUPL, supporting a new investigation into phase noise limitations in quartz crystal oscillators. The initial research phase will focus on non-cryogenic performance, with the ultimate goal of developing cryogenic quartz crystal oscillators for ultra-precision applications.
At the University of Western Australia’s EQUS node, researchers are developing a high-frequency gravitational wave antenna using quartz resonators—similar to the quartz crystals at the core of Quantic Wenzel’s Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillators (OCXOs). Recent findings reveal rare events, likely caused by cosmic rays, in these resonators. Such discoveries reinforce the hypothesis that mechanical resonators are sensitive to cosmic ray interactions, suggesting that future gravitational wave detectors could benefit from underground placement to reduce interference. By partnering with Quantic Wenzel to test quartz-based oscillators at SUPL, EQUS is bridging academic and industry expertise to advance commercial timekeeping technology and explore new horizons in fundamental physics.
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