Program Overview

Our Goals

The growth of quantum technologies is bottlenecked by a lack of opportunities for students to learn the practical aspects of building quantum. Currently, developing novel applications and devices within quantum carries large amounts of technical risk, which limits these endeavors to well-funded institutions and venture-backed companies.

Our goals at OpenQuantum are to:

1. Open-source a complete blueprint for a quantum engineering platform that is low-cost, flexible, and instructive.

2. Develop a novel, hands-on educational program for quantum to support the growth of a new, well-educated, technical workforce within America.

3. Demonstrate the power of modern open hardware paradigms in supporting both teaching and entrepreneurial communities.

Navigating Our Documentation

These documents are organized into two primary categories: blueprints and curriculum.

Blueprints

Our blueprints will contain links to all files relevant to the fabrication and construction of a magneto-optical trap for rubidium. This consists of three subsystems:

1. Laser Locking - the components that enable the generation and control of a laser beam that is 'locked' to the resonant frequency of the 5S1/2 -> 5P3/2 "cooling transition" of rubidium-85.

2. Ultrahigh Vacuum - the components that enable a stable, clean environment in which rubidium vapor can then be cooled & trapped.

3. Magneto-Optical Trap - the remaining components and control software that enable the use of the previous two subsystems to generate a stable ultracold gas.

Each subsection of the documentation contains all relevant CAD files, bills of materials, electronic schematics, driver firmware, and control software necessary, along with descriptions of usage for each component.

Curriculum

If you are reading through a blueprint and its purpose does not make sense to you, you should read through our curriculum, which contains explanations of both the theory behind the magneto-optical trap from the physics perspective, as well as the electrical and mechanical engineering concepts that enable it.

Our curriculum is nominally designed around a 12-week course for academic institutions; however, it is also intended for hobbyists, graduate researchers, and entrepreneurs. It can be read out of order and contains many practical details that are typically only passed down through word-of-mouth within R1 labs. The curriculum is also broken down into three main components, discussing:

1. Lasers, optics, control systems, and interferometry

2. Establishing and maintaining ultrahigh vacuum (UHV)

3. Magneto-optical trapping and atomic physics

Procuring a Kit

If you are interested in buying a complete, unassembled kit, and/or commercial usage, please reach out at [e-mail].