NSF Invests in Construction of Quantum Nanofabrication Facility

The National Science Foundation has announced an investment of nearly $20 million to build a nanoscale fabrication facility at the University of Colorado Boulder.

The National Quantum Nanofab will serve as an open-access national resource designed to advance research and development in quantum science and engineering, the NSF said.

The NQN’s primary goal is to expedite the development of atomic-photonic quantum devices, potentially leading to breakthroughs in technologies such as quantum computers and networks, atomic clocks and advanced sensors.

Funded through the NSF’s Mid-Scale Research Infrastructure 1 program, the facility will equip researchers with cutting-edge tools for designing, fabricating, characterizing and packaging the devices. Its mission is to simplify quantum systems’ controls, make them more accessible to researchers and broaden their applications.

Additionally, the NQN will serve as an educational hub, promoting workforce development and training for diverse student populations in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan said the investment strengthens opportunities for Americans and positions the United States as a global leader in quantum science and technology.