Summary
The Applied Quantum Technologies (AQT) Group was established in July 2026 within the Quantum Information Science (QIS) Section at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to advance an applied science and technology mission in classical and quantum sensing and communications. The group brings together expertise from across the QIS Section and multiple organizations at ORNL to develop, integrate, and evaluate technologies for mission-relevant use.
Collectively, AQT members bring more than 15 years of experience supporting the national security mission space, where we have worked closely with mission partners, operators, and end users to develop sensing and communications solutions in operationally relevant contexts. That experience shapes our approach: we focus not only on technical innovation, but also on the integration, testing, and evaluation required to determine whether a technology can deliver real mission value.
Mission
AQT has a two-part mission.
First, AQT has established, and is continuing to grow, a core capability in classical and quantum optical sensing through full-stack system development, testing, evaluation, and field demonstration. This is an active area of work for the group today, and a central focus of its continued growth. Our efforts span the enabling layers required to move sensing concepts into integrated capabilities, including photonic components, control electronics and Field-Programmable Gate Array fabrics, software, signal processing, algorithm development, and data collection, analysis, and curation at the edge and on high-performance computing systems. This combination of technical depth and systems integration positions AQT to develop and assess sensing technologies as complete mission-relevant systems rather than isolated components.
Second, AQT works with mission partners to identify where quantum technologies may offer meaningful operational benefit and to help mature those opportunities toward credible use. This includes evaluating technical promise against mission need, clarifying where quantum is and is not the right answer, and connecting emerging capabilities with the expertise needed to advance them. Where additional foundational work is required, AQT helps bring the right capabilities to bear from within ORNL and across the Department of Energy laboratory complex.
In this role, AQT serves as a bridge between emerging quantum technologies and mission application. Our aim is to reduce technical risk, support informed decision-making, and accelerate the development of capabilities that address real mission needs.
