Quantum Calibration Lab

In this Phase I we propose to design and plan the creation of an atom-based quantum testbed for accelerated prototyping, validation, and benchmarking of nanophotonic, optoelectronic, and atom-optical components and subsystems.  The initial thrust of the proposed Quantum Calibration Lab (QCAL) facility will be the establishment of 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 evaluated.  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 in Phase II. A preliminary design and performance analysis of the QCAL testbed facility including details on the facility concept, construction, and performance metrics for testing, measurement, and calibration will be furnished.  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 for the QCAL testbed facility will be developed.   This will include plans on how QCAL will allow for broad-scale government, academic, and commercial access, and the facility’s long-term funding and sustainment plan. The operations plan will provide an assessment of how QCAL will balance 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 outlined. Estimates for testing and calibration time and throughput of subsystem and components at the facility will be developed, together with technical personnel requirements, requisite administrative and management oversight needs, and detailed plans for the overall operations, logistics, and financial management of the facility to ensures scalable growth at the forefront of atom-based quantum and photonic technologies.