An Integrated Photonics Platform for High-Speed Quantum Control | QuEra

Discover how researchers from QuEra Computing, MIT, Sandia National Labs, and the University of Arizona are advancing quantum computing with neutral atoms through a groundbreaking integrated photonics platform.

This presentation, summarizing arXiv:2508.09920, explains how scalable, high-speed, and ultrahigh-extinction photonic control is enabling fault-tolerant quantum computing. Led by Tommaso Macrì, Noel Wan, and Anshuman Singh, the session explores QuEra’s neutral atom technology, optical control systems, and recent experimental results demonstrating over 70 dB extinction and nanosecond-level switching—a leap forward in scalable quantum architectures.

You’ll learn about:

QuEra’s neutral atom quantum computing approach
Challenges and innovations in integrated photonics for quantum control
How photonic integrated circuits (PICs) can achieve massive scalability
Experimental benchmarks and future directions for fault-tolerant architectures

This video is ideal for physicists, quantum engineers, and anyone interested in quantum hardware, photonics, and atomic-scale control systems.

Learn more: https://www.quera.com/glossary/neutra...

Chapters:

00:45 – Speakers: Tommaso Macrì, Noel Juan, and Anuman Singh
01:11 – Structure of the presentation
02:05 – About QuEra and its neutral atom platform
03:36 – The rubidium-87 atomic species and scalability
04:36 – QuEra’s Aquila and Gemini quantum systems
06:12 – Introduction to the photonic control challenges
07:05 – Basics of quantum computing with neutral atoms
08:05 – Demonstration of atom movement and control
08:52 – Scaling challenges and optical control parameters
10:33 – Key photonic components: SLM, AOD, and PICs
12:01 – PICs design and silicon nitride platform
13:37 – Architecture of the Mach–Zehnder interferometer switch array
14:52 – Experimental results: extinction ratios and wavelength performance
15:56 – Switching speed and stability analysis
17:16 – Power handling and optical threshold
18:20 – Beam delivery and integration with the quantum processor
19:26 – Interface between PIC and atomic qubits
21:54 – Crosstalk and performance measurements
22:56 – Scalability and next steps
23:59 – Closing remarks and acknowledgments

Part of the 'Science with QuEra' webinar series


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