Advanced Quantum Testbeds for Atomic Technologies (AQUA)

QuEra Computing and partners propose to establish the Advanced Quantum Testbed for Atomic Technologies (AQUA), an advanced testbed facility designed to validate integrated components and subsystems critical for realizing the next generation of scalable, low-SWaP atomic quantum technologies in computing, sensing and communication. AQUA, in concert with use-driven and hardware-driven innovation centers, will provide users from government, academia, and industry with access to state-of-the-art neutral atom quantum systems, enabling rigorous testing and benchmarking of innovative nanophotonic, optoelectronic, and electronic components in a modular environment that reproduces real-world atomic operating conditions. AQUA addresses a critical bottleneck in the development of next-generation atomic quantum technologies: the limitations of conventional benchtop equipment in validating integrated component performance at the quantum level. By offering comprehensive, system-level characterization capabilities that far exceed the precision and specificity of standard laboratory instruments, AQUA will enable researchers to uncover subtle imperfections, noise sources, and interface issues that can significantly impact the performance of integrated quantum devices. This quantum-level characterization is essential for predicting and optimizing the full system performance of atomic quantum technologies, accelerating the transition from component-level innovations to practical, deployable devices, effectively bridging the gap from "lab to fab" and "fab to field". The "fab to field" transition is a critical step in the development of next-generation atomic quantum technologies, as it bridges the gap between the fabrication of integrated components and their integration into functional, field-ready devices. By providing a platform for rigorous testing and validation at the system level, AQUA will help identify and address the challenges associated with this transition, such as interface compatibility, scalability, and performance under real-world conditions. This, in turn, will bring to parity low-SWaP atomic quantum devices with state-of-the-art research grade counterparts, and accelerate the development of sensing, timing, and computing applications.Throughout the project, QuEra will refine AQUA's operational model, expand its user base, and engage with stakeholders to maximize impact. By serving as a focal point for advanced technology validation and collaboration, AQUA will accelerate the development of transformative atomic quantum technologies.