Quantum Calibration Lab (QCAL)

In this Phase II effort, We will build and operationalize the first QCAL facility testbed to support atom-based quantum sensors, focusing on Rydberg atom electric field sensors. Establish testing protocols, calibration methodologies, and performance benchmarks for Rydberg atomic electromagnetic field sensors.  The proposed Quantum Calibration Lab (QCAL) facility will be the establish a testbed for atom-based quantum sensors with a focus on Rydberg atom electric field sensor technologies and their relevant subsystems and components.  Base performance metrics, testing, and calibration methodologies for key subsystems and components of atom-based electric field sensor technologies including integrated nano-photonics, atomic gas cells, and atomic RF field probes will be developed.   The QCAL testbed will focus on test, integration, and calibration of atom-based quantum electric-field sensors and measurement devices and key subsystems and components to atomic, optical, and electronic performance requirements and atomic RF test and measurement standards. Base performance metrics, test and calibration methodologies will be described.  Operations and business plans developed in Phase I will be put into practice and we will track the progress of the facility and it’s long-term funding and sustainment plan. The QCAL testbed facility will allow for broad-scale government, academic, and commercial access and provide rigorous technical evaluation and validation of devices, components, and subsystems against the commercial interests of rapid task sequencing and high throughput. Measurement and calibration metrics, methods, and procedures for rigorous evaluation, validation, and calibration of atomic electric-field sensors and probes to classical voltage/power sensors and antenna front-end receiver standard specification metrics will be implemented.  We will design and deploy a multi-axis robotic positioning system tailored for over-the-air (OTA) test, measurement, and calibration of Rydberg atomic sensors, enabling high-resolution spatial and angular measurements in controlled RF environment. We will develop and characterize atomic vapor cells and Rydberg RF field probes as DUTs for advanced electric field measurement and establish SI-traceable calibration methodologies using baseline measurements validated by use of atomic RF sensing devices.  The testbed will also include the capability to rapidly characterize nanophotonic and laser subsystems for use in quantum devices. Testbed capabilities applied to atom-based quantum magnetometers, optical clocks, and quantum memories and their key specific subsystems and components will also be evaluated for development beyond Phase II.