Mesa Quantum scores $100K inaugural state grant for quantum sensor development

The startup Mesa Quantum aims to commercialize its quantum sensors, which target more robust position, navigation and timing applications in miniaturized atomic clocks.

It’s now one step closer to that goal. The New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Office of Strategy, Science & Technology has awarded the Boulder, Colorado, company $100,000 in grant funding through its inaugural round of the Quantum Technologies Award Pilot Program, announced in December.

The award comes as New Mexico and Colorado have gained steam in producing the next generation of quantum technology. Last year, the federal Economic Development Association identified New Mexico and Colorado as one of a dozen tech hubs in the U.S. — a designation that awarded the two states $41 million .

The Broomfield, Colorado-based Quantinuum, known as a leader in the full-stack quantum computing space, also announced its intent to expand operations to New Mexico by the end of this year.

In coming to New Mexico, Mesa Quantum will develop the laser systems integral to quantum sensing applications, CEO and co-founder Sristy Agrawal said. With quantum sensing, lasers interrogate atoms that give measurable responses.

In the case of atomic clocks, which the company is focusing on, atoms of alkali nature like cesium or rubidium have a unique property where the energy levels are “quantized.”

“When the lasers talk to the atoms, the atoms are able to give out a particular frequency, and that frequency is very, very precise,” Agrawal said. “We can use that frequency as a source of truth, and that is how we define what time means because otherwise, it’s very difficult to have a precise measurement or a precise sense of what time it would be.”

As part of the grant, the state requires Mesa Quantum to remain in the state for at least two years. The grant also has the incentive of being non-dilutive, meaning companies that receive funding through the program can keep all equity.

That’s particularly attractive for a company like Mesa Quantum, which, through the support of the grant, is teaming up with University of New Mexico Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Daniel Feezell, to work on the project and drawing on the electro-optic research at Sandia National Laboratories, a pioneer in quantum sensing technology.

Agrawal described New Mexico as “the perfect place” for the work Mesa Quantum is doing.

“With New Mexico’s focus on bringing quantum and their intent of putting in more money, investing those resources, we felt like New Mexico could be that place where we expand our photonics division,” Agrawal said.

New Mexico Economic Development Secretary Rob Black described the state as “leading the way” in quantum investment.

“By encouraging this new industry, we’re investing in a modern economy that will thrive for generations,” Black said in a statement.