A recently executed Information Transfer Agreement (ITA) will help accelerate research on and production of quantum-based capabilities benefiting the DoW and the public.
Dr. A. Matthew Smith and Dr. Michael Fanto are researchers at the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Information and Spectrum Warfare Directorate (RF) specializing in quantum photonics and networking. Quantum photonics use as little as a single particle of light (a photon) to carry information. Quantum networking is a dynamic and fast-moving field that holds enormous promise for addressing many use cases across government and industry.
Using the principle of superposition, qubits – the quantum equivalent of normal computer bits – can exist in any simultaneous combination of the states 0 and 1. Additionally the quantum property of entanglement allows two qubits to be correlated even if they are then physically separated, allowing for unique and remarkable advantages in quantum communication and quantum computing.
Quantum computers can address a variety of complex problems, such as scheduling logistics operations within complicated global supply chains and prioritizing targets in fast-moving, large-scale, real-time combat operations. Such problems are computationally impossible at large scale for classical computers due to the problems’ complexity. Compact quantum systems can also be placed on drones to enable enhanced sensing capabilities – such as Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) capabilities – without needing the Global Positioning System (GPS).
Dr. Smith and Dr. Fanto’s current work is related to integrated photonics, including Compatible Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication. Their pursuits are aimed at accelerating the deployment of quantum systems to the field.
Integrated photonic chips act as circuit boards for light. These chips can be made in the same foundries as standard CMOS computer chips, although integrated photonics chips are designed differently to channel and manipulate light rather than electricity. Because the integrated photonics chip can replace many traditional optical components, the size of a bulk optical assembly can be reduced from a square meter to less than one square centimeter. At the same time the precise manufacturability of CMOS allows for larger numbers of quantum devices to be created than ever before.
However, manufacturing these chips in standard CMOS foundries is difficult and costly. Dr. Smith and Dr. Fanto wanted to work with AIM Photonics, a DoW Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) partner, to accelerate the production process for quantum photonics. To transfer the fruits of that research to the larger community, the researchers needed an ITA in place to make sure that the federal government’s intellectual property interests would be preserved when this information was transferred externally. With the help of their local Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA), an ITA was developed and signed in summer 2025, thereby permitting information to be shared.
AIM Photonics was able to create a Quantum Flexible Platform called QFLEX, which can produce quantum integrated photonics chips at a fraction of the previous cost. With the ITA in place, Dr. Smith and Dr. Fanto were able to share with AIM Photonics the information related to various device designs created over several years of research and development, which together now make up the QFLEX Process Design Kit (PDK). These designs came from AFRL researchers but also collaborators at the Rochester Institute of Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Purdue University, and other organizations.
The information transfer was made in a “white box” fashion, meaning that a user can see the every aspect of the device design. Dr. Smith and Dr. Fanto were “adamant” about this approach.
Most PDK elements are “black box,” which leaves the internal structure of the device opaque. The “white box” approach permits free and open investigation of the entire device – therefore, an interested researcher can investigate any part of the design and create their own customized variants, which is useful for STEM education, simulation, design innovation and future applications. This approach will stimulate development from stakeholders across the quantum community – in academia, small businesses, and defense. In fact, the Office of the Secretary of War (OSW) has contributed funding to support three “challenge runs” asking stakeholders in the quantum community to contribute designs to the PDK. If selected, a stakeholder receives complimentary use of the platform to design and test new PDK elements.
In sum, the AFRL researchers’ proactive approach will accelerate innovation by encouraging open learning, experimentation, innovation and dual use commercial adoption with US based advanced manufacturing. The approach was designed to meet the demands presented by the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, the National Quantum Initiative, along with several Executive Orders – aimed at accelerating the American quantum industry and American semiconductor manufacturing development.
According to Dr. Smith and Dr. Fanto, there is much more work to be done, and it will likely unfold in unexpected ways. They have already discussed creating amendments to the ITA to update and expand the PDK’s content. Subsequent work could focus on entangled photon sources, frequency combs, or other timely and promising topics.
As the researchers note, although this work will benefit defense and warfighting capabilities, it also has broad commercial application to fields such as telecommunications. It is highly likely, then, that this initial ITA will multiply the economic benefit of the original research investment several times over.
Department of the Air Force (DAF) ORTAs, such as the ORTA that facilitated this ITA, conduct outreach related to technology transfer and facilitate the development of formal technology transfer agreements, including patent licensing agreements, to ensure the protection of DAF’s intellectual property interests. The DAF Technology Transfer and Transition (T3) Program Office provides DAF ORTAs with training and guidance and performs ORTA services for DAF laboratories lacking their own ORTA.
About AFRL
The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace forces. With a workforce spanning the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology services ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit www.afresearchlab.com.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of War, or the U.S. government.