TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: ChronoQuantum Fiber Timing Integrity Monitor

ChronoQuantum, from developers at Los Alamos National Laboratory,delivers an independent layer of timing assurance for fiber-linked infrastructure, using the physics of correlated photon pairs to verify what conventional synchronization telemetry cannot see on its own. Operators of precision timing networks gain a trustworthy second observable that detects, classifies and localizes residual drift in real time; pinpoints whether the cause lies in endpoint electronics, the fiber path, optical filters or environmental conditions; and does all of this as an overlay that coexists with White Rabbit, PTP or fiducial timing systems already in the field. With optional AI-enabled inference fusing temporal, spectral and spatial signatures, the platform converts fragile quantum measurements into actionable operational intelligence, supporting everything from monitor-only awareness to autonomous correction recommendations across two-node links, mesh networks and facility-scale deployments.

How it Works

A source generates pairs of correlated or entangled photons and distributes one photon from each pair to each endpoint of a fiber link, sharing the same optical infrastructure as the timing network being monitored. Single-photon detectors at every endpoint record exactly when each photon arrives, time-stamped against the local clock, and these arrival records are streamed to a processing layer that looks for coincidences, the moments when photon partners are detected together. The shape, timing and quality of those coincidence patterns form a fingerprint of the link’s health. A physics-based estimator combined with optional machine learning then interprets the fingerprint, reports residual timing error with calibrated uncertainty, classifies the likely cause and recommends whether the system should continue monitoring, alert an operator or feed a correction back to the timing controller.

Technical Description

The ChronoQuantum Fiber Timing Integrity Monitorsits alongside an existing timing network rather than replacing it, adding a parallel quantum measurement channel that quietly observes the same fiber links the operational system is using. A specialized light source generates pairs of photons that are correlated, meaning the two partners in each pair share a tight, predictable relationship in time, color and sometimes spatial pattern. One partner from each pair travels to one end of the fiber link and the other partner travels to the other end, where ultra-sensitive single-photon detectors record the precise moment each photon arrives. The system uses standard telecommunications wavelengths, roughly the same colors of light already carried by commercial fiber networks, so the diagnostic light can share the same cables and equipment that operators already have in the ground.

Advantages

•          Provides an independent timing observable rooted in quantum physics; not just a re-read of the same synchronization signals

•          Overlays cleanly on existing White Rabbit, PTP and fiducial timing systems without replacing them

•          Pinpoints the root cause of drift by distinguishing endpoint electronics from fiber-path, filter or environmental effects

•          Supports operation over standard telecom fiber and DWDM equipment, making field deployment practical

•          Scales from two-node links to mesh and facility-scale networks with redundant sources, detectors and failover modes

•          Offers flexible operating modes from passive monitoring through operator alerts to autonomous correction recommendations

Market Applications

•          High Energy Physics (detector timing, accelerator synchronization, fusion diagnostics)

•          Quantum Networking and Distributed Quantum Computing (modular quantum interconnects)

•          Telecommunications (5G/6G backhaul timing, data center synchronization, submarine cable monitoring)

•          Positioning and Navigation Assurance (GNSS backup via fiber timing, spoofing and manipulation detection)

•          Sensing (laser ranging, distributed radar and TDOA sensor arrays, scientific instrumentation)

TRL 3

U.S. Patent pending

LA-UR-26-25338

LANL Tech Partnerships: Unlock the Innovative Potential

Los Alamos National Laboratory offers a wide range of cutting-edge technologies and capabilities that may provide your company with a competitive edge in the market and unlock the innovative potential that can enhance, refine, and revolutionize your products.

LANL’s licensing program focuses on moving inventions developed by our researchers to commercial innovations. Patented and patent pending inventions and copyrighted software are available to existing and start-up companies through exclusive and non-exclusive licensing agreements. For specific discussions, please contact licensing@lanl.gov.

Note: This is not a call for external services for the development of this technology.

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