Unhackable Global Positioning

Scientists are looking at ways of using quantum materials to develop a new navigational tool that will be more reliable than current GPS systems. Traditional GPS relies on sensing the earth’s core magnetic field. Unfortunately, the “core field” is constantly changing, causing the north and south magnetic poles to move over time. Alternatives like star navigation are of limited value because stars are not visible in daylight. Observing ground features is another option, but one that can be easily hacked. However, there is another magnetic field – known as the “crustal field” – which has the advantage of being consistent, albeit very low amplitude.

That’s where quantum materials come into play. Researchers have found that subatomic voids within tiny diamonds occur when a carbon atom is replaced by a nitrogen atom. When exposed to a green laser, these vacancies fluoresce, and the pattern of fluorescence changes with small variations in a magnetic field, making these materials useful as magnetometers to detect the small magnetic variations in the crustal field.

The crustal field can be mapped by aircraft flying over the area or by satellite if the airspace is off limits. The major advantage of such a system is that the crustal field and the magnetometers are highly stable and not dependent on the availability of GPS satellites. A prototype is expected within the next year; however, testing indicates that this type of navigational system will be capable of locating an aircraft with 13 meters (about 40 feet) of its position anywhere on earth.