Maybe, but I lean towards assuming not. Most (all?) of the characters in Watchmen were Charlton Comics characters with the serial numbers scratched off, and their backstories adjusted slightly to fit the setting. Dr. Manhattan specifically was based on Captain Atom, whose origin was originally that he was trapped in a rocket as it launched. The change from that to the "intrinsic field" experiment was probably just to make it more "weird" along with Ozymandias' actions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Atom

> The character's origin had Adam working as a technician in a special experimental rocket when it accidentally launched with him trapped inside. Adam was atomized when the rocket exploded while entering the upper atmosphere. However, he somehow gained superpowers that included the ability to reform his body safely on the ground