AURORA · Acoustic Ultrahigh-Q Resonators for Oscillators, Radar, and Applications

Modern communication, sensing, and navigation systems rely on high-performance resonators that define the stability and spectral purity of electronic signals. However, today’s compact acoustic resonators, widely used in wireless infrastructure and consumer electronics, suffer from fundamental limitations in energy loss, frequency stability, and environmental robustness. These constraints prevent their use in emerging technologies that require exceptionally stable and low-noise frequency references, including next-generation wireless networks, precision sensing systems, and hybrid quantum devices.The AURORA project aims to develop a new generation of compact acoustic resonators with dramatically improved quality factors and operational stability. By rethinking how acoustic energy is confined and controlled in micro-scale devices, the project will establish design principles that suppress unwanted vibrational modes and minimize energy dissipation. The resulting resonator platform is intended to combine the performance traditionally associated with bulky precision oscillators with the scalability and manufacturability of modern microelectronic components.Achieving such performance could transform several technology sectors. In telecommunications, ultrastable resonators can improve synchronization and spectral efficiency in future wireless networks. In defence and radar systems, they may enable oscillators with significantly reduced phase noise and improved signal resolution. At cryogenic temperatures, the same platform may also enable new interfaces between mechanical vibrations and quantum microwave systems, opening pathways for hybrid quantum technologies.Beyond the scientific advances, AURORA seeks to translate these innovations into practical impact through patents, industrial partnerships, and the creation of a technology spin-off. By establishing a versatile resonator platform with applications spanning telecommunications, sensing, and quantum technologies, the project aims to strengthen Europe’s technological leadership in advanced frequency control systems.