Real-World Experience with Quantum Optics

Xairos Systems, Inc., a quantum technology company that is developing a global resilient timing architecture to augment timing from GPS (Global Positioning System), benefitted from hosting four quantum physics and engineering physics undergraduate students in the lab, where they were exposed to the real-world problem of entangling photons, quantifying the interaction, and visualizing the invisible process.

Quantum Forge is a program at the University of Colorado Boulder that gives students first-hand experience with the quantum industry through sponsored projects with industry partners. Students gain proficiency with industry techniques while becoming more familiar with company culture and norms, positioning them well for industry entry upon completion of the course. Students can apply for Quantum Forge in March for the upcoming academic year.

The participating students included four seniors majoring in physics and engineering physics: Conor O’Neill, Grayson Hallmark, Ethan Trapp and Andrew Nguyen, all of whom completed the program in Spring 2025.

“Working with Xairos was an incredible experience because I got to see start-up culture and be involved in a project applying quantum optics,” said Nguyen. “It's rewarding to see physics from the classroom being used in the real world.”

Xairos is developing a global resilient space-based timing architecture using Quantum Time Transfer. Accurate timing synchronization is critical for improving the efficiency of power grids, networks and data centers, including those needing higher compute capabilities due to rising demand from Artificial Intelligence. Accurate and resilient timing is also foundational for location data, including GPS.

"Most capstone experiences for science majors are designed for students continuing on to graduate study,” said Michael Bennett, the course designer and Director of Education for the Q-SEnSE NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute at CU Boulder. “But the reality is that companies are increasingly looking to hire at a variety of levels of quantum specialization. The Xairos team is a great example of how even bachelors-level workers can make meaningful contributions to the quantum workforce.”

“We have been very impressed by the students’ determination and motivation,” said David Mitlyng, CEO of Xairos. “Achieving photon entanglement is not for the faint of heart, and these young professionals showed fortitude and commitment.”

About Xairos

Xairos is developing a global resilient space-based timing architecture using Quantum Time Transfer (QTT), a protocol invented, patented, and perfected by the Xairos team. Accurate timing synchronization is critical for the world’s transportation, networks, financial transactions, data centers, and power grids. Xairos is commercializing QTT to develop the next generation of Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT), with sub-nanosecond-level accuracy (1000 times better) and the security needed for future networks and applications. For more information, visit Xairos.com.

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Four undergraduate students from University of Colorado's Quantum Forge program successfully completed the program, hosted by Xairos, where they gained real-world experience with photon entanglement in the Xairos quantum lab.