Neutral-atom quantum computers company QuEra Computing has been awarded two Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contracts as part of the Imagining Practical Applications for a Quantum Tomorrow (IMPAQT) program for quantum algorithm and application development.

The first grant will aim at quantum reservoir learning using neutral atoms and will demonstrate how classification problems can be solved using QuEra's hardware. The second grant will aim to enhance surface code quantum computation schemes with transversal logical gates, potentially reducing the resources required per gate. Additionally, five of QuEra's partners also received DARPA grants for projects conducted on their quantum computers, focusing on predictive modeling, machine learning, drug discovery, and quantum simulations.

Boston-based QuEra Computing is a company commercializing advanced quantum computers based on neutral atoms. The company operates the world’s largest publicly-accessible quantum computer, which is available for general use over the Amazon Braket cloud. QuEra's technology is based on large-scale arrays of neutral atoms and offers users up to 256 qubits.