Neutral-Atom Platform Technologies

Expected Outcome

This action aims to establish European leadership in neutral-atom quantum simulation and digital quantum computing by delivering:

• Fully programmable industry-ready quantum simulators based on 10.000 neutral atoms in a scalable architecture, accessible via cloud platforms, and with the possibility of integrating them into high-performance computing environments.
• Fully programmable platform for neutral-atom quantum computing capable of both analogue quantum operations and gate-based computing with 1.000 physical qubits and a clear path to further scalability to 10.000 physical qubits.
• Coherence time of the order of hundreds of interaction times and infidelity of operations below 1%.
• Demonstration of quantum simulation and/or computing operating beyond classical computability, validated through benchmarking with classical methods.
• New real-world applications across science and industry (at least two) (e.g: in the energy and health sectors)
• The software stack for these applications, including enhanced software for verification, algorithm implementation, and user programming interfaces.
• Demonstration of the full quantum stack – including quantum control, electronic control components and verification of quantum processors simulation operating beyond regimes that are classically computable.
• Programming interfaces allowing users (including non-expert ones to the best extent possible), to use these quantum processors to their problem sets.
• Enhanced scalability, stability, and usability of the quantum simulation and computing processors.
• Strengthened European industrial and technological capacity in quantum simulation/computing and associated hardware/software components.
• This action must address at least two of the technical challenges highlighted in the SRIA 2030 for neutral-atom platforms. These include the need for stable atom control during multi-qubit operations, essential for reliable error correction, and the development of Quantum Non-Demolition (QND) measurement and high-fidelity universal gate operations. Proposals should tackle these and comparable bottlenecks with a view to scalable, fault-tolerant systems for simulation and computation.

Scope

The proposal should advance the maturity and usability of neutral-atom quantum processors platforms with a focus on practical applications. It should include:

• Development and deployment of scalable quantum processors with individually addressable neutral atoms, supporting analogue simulation operation, hybrid analogue-digital techniques and gate-based quantum computing.
• Demonstration of real-world use cases (minimum two), addressing complex scientific or industrial problems (e.g., materials science, chemistry, optimization) that are intractable for classical simulation/computing. These should include benchmarking and verification strategies to assess quantum advantage.
• Development and integration of a complete software stack including quantum control systems, electronic control components, user programming interfaces, classical simulation support tools, and robust operation protocols.
• Cloud-based access to the quantum processor, ensuring usability by researchers and industrial users across Europe. The system should allow for hybrid quantum-classical workflows with HPC environments and support non-expert users to the extent possible.
• Implementation of robust quantum error mitigation, error correction, error detection and quantification techniques adapted to neutral-atom processors.
• Development of benchmarking and cross-platform validation tools to assess the performance of different simulation/computing approaches and support standardisation efforts.
• Pathways highlighting the use of quantum processors as development platforms for future generations of quantum sensors and for the execution of quantum metrological protocols.
• Enhancement of the EU’s supply chain through the development and integration of key quantum components for neutral-atom based computational processors (e.g., trapping and control optics, elecrtronic control components, laser systems, photonic interfaces).
• Coordination of partners activities, including training, documentation, and user engagement activities to foster adoption and ecosystem growth.

The action builds upon the foundations set by the PASQuanS2 FPA and aligns with the goals of the Strategic Research and Industry Agenda (SRIA 2030), the Chips for Europe initiative contributing to Europe’s strategic autonomy in neutral atom quantum simulation and digital neutral-atom technologies.

Technology Readiness Level - Technology readiness level expected from completed projects

The rules are described in General Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2026-2027.

Activities are expected to start at TRL 4 and to achieve TRL 7 by the end of the project