Q3Sat: quantum communications uplink to a 3U CubeSat—feasibility &amp; design

Neumann, Sebastian Philipp; Joshi, Siddarth Koduru; Fink, Matthias; Scheidl, Thomas; Blach, Roland; Scharlemann, Carsten; Abouagaga, Sameh; Bambery, Daanish; Kerstel, Erik; Barthélemy, Mathieu; Ursin, Rupert

doi:10.1140/epjqt/s40507-018-0068-1

Cited by 41 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 53 publications

(60 reference statements)

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“…Many recent proposals foresee the use of nano-satellites (e.g. CubeSats [58][59][60]) for QKD implementation [9,[61][62][63][64]. The possibility to deploy many of such satellites in a single mission, to share the vector with other payloads and the modular nature lowers considerably the launch and building cost of these devices.…”

Section: Cube-sat Performance Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Satellite-based links for quantum key distribution: beam effects and weather dependence

2019

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The establishment of a world-wide quantum communication network relies on the synergistic integration of satellite-based links and fiber-based networks. The first are helpful for long-distance communication, as the photon losses introduced by the optical fibers are too detrimental for lengths greater than about 200 km. This work aims at giving, on the one hand, a comprehensive and fundamental model for the losses suffered by the quantum signals during the propagation along an atmospheric free-space link. On the other hand, a performance analysis of different quantum key distribution (QKD) implementations is performed, including finite-key effects, focusing on different interesting practical scenarios. The specific approach that we chose allows to precisely model the contribution due to different weather conditions, paving the way towards more accurate feasibility studies of satellite-based QKD missions. IntroductionQuantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum communication in general have the potential to revolutionise the way we communicate confidential information over the internet. The natural carriers for quantum information are photons, that are already widely used in classical networks of optical fibers to achieve high communication rates. Unfortunately, even though enormous improvements have been obtained in the last years [1, 2], scaling quantum communication protocols over long distances is very challenging, due to the losses experienced during the propagation inside the optical fibers. Several schemes for the realization of quantum repeaters have been proposed in recent years, that could allow to bridge long distances and naturally be implemented inside a quantum communication network [3][4][5][6][7]. Considering the important technological hurdles that quantum repeaters should overcome before becoming useful, satellite-based free-space links look like the most practical way to achieve long-distance QKD in the short term [8]. They can take advantage of the satellite technology and the optical communication methods developed in the last decades in the classical case. Various feasibility studies had addressed this topic in the last twenty years [8][9][10][11] and several experiments have definitely proved that the technology involved is ready for deployment [12][13][14][15][16].Optical satellite-based links have the important drawback of being strongly dependent on the weather conditions [17][18][19][20]. The presence of turbulent eddies and scattering particles like haze or fog generates random fluctuations of the relative permittivity of the air, on different length-and time-scales. This phenomenon affects the light propagation in a complicated way, inducing random deviations and deformations of any optical beam sent through the atmosphere. It results in reduced transmittance, because of geometrical losses due to the finite collection aperture, and random modifications of the phase front. A comprehensive model of these effects is then necessary, in order to precisely evaluate the performance of the link w...

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Section: Cube-sat Performance Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Satellite-based links for quantum key distribution: beam effects and weather dependence

2019

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“…In order to time stamp the photon arrival a time-tagging module is used, both at the OGS [44] and on the CubeSat. An integrated space-qualified system will be specifically designed using a dedicated integrated circuit implementing time-to-digital conversion (TDC).…”

Section: Time Taggingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This can be achieved using an oven controlled crystal oscillator (see, e.g., [45]) or miniature atomic clock (such as, e.g., the model Quantum SA45.s by MicroSemi [46]). Long-term clock synchronization between OGS and satellite is then achieved by the forementioned time correlation technique applied repeatedly on data over intervals of approximately 100 ms [25,44]. Implementing TDC with a time resolution < 25 ps and jitter < 10 ps in integrated circuitry is challenging but can be done in standard field programmable gated arrays (FPGAs) using a method based on self-timed rings (STR) [47].…”

Section: Time Taggingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The combined contribution to the coincidence time window of the detector and electronics jitter on the space segment, and those of a state-of-the-art OGS [44], is about 100 ps.…”

Section: Time Taggingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…the atmospheric coherence width) [60] has been measured at the RoboDIMM ORM telescope on the Canary Islands over a 8.5-year period, showing that, on average, about 112 days per year r0 > 20 cm (λ=810 nm) ( Fig. 6) [44]. The OGS telescope aperture is in fact generally larger than the average Fried parameter for the location of the OGS, such that the beam size at the position of the satellite is not diffraction limited, but rather limited by atmospheric turbulence.…”

Section: Ground Station and Entangled Photon Sourcementioning

confidence: 99%

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Nanobob: a cubesat mission concept for quantum communication experiments in an uplink configuration

Kerstel

Bourdarot

LeCoarer

et al. 2019

International Conference on Space Optics — ICSO 2018

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We present a ground-to-space quantum key distribution (QKD) mission concept and the accompanying feasibility study for the development of the low earth orbit CubeSat payload. The quantum information is carried by single photons with the binary codes represented by polarization states of the photons. Distribution of entangled photons between the ground and the satellite can be used to certify the quantum nature of the link: a guarantee that no eavesdropping can take place. By placing the entangled photon source on the ground, the space segments contains "only" the less complex detection system, enabling its implementation in a compact enclosure, compatible with the 12U CubeSat standard (12 dm 3 ). This reduces the overall cost of the project, making it an ideal choice as a pathfinder for future European quantum communication satellite missions. The space segment is also more versatile than one that contains the source since it is compatible with a multiple of QKD protocols (not restricted to entangled photon schemes) and can be used in quantum physics experiments, such as the investigation of entanglement decoherence. Other possible experiments include atmospheric transmission/turbulence characterization, dark area mapping, fine pointing and tracking, and accurate clock synchronization; all crucial for future global scale quantum communication efforts.

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Quantum Communication Networks for Energy Applications: Review and Perspective

Paudel,

Crawford,

Lee

et al. 2023

Adv Quantum Tech

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The energy sector is expected to undergo significant changes in the coming decades with the advent of new technologies, including smart grid development, microgrid expansion, increasing electric vehicle and renewable energy usage, and enhanced measures to minimize greenhouse gas emission, among others. In tandem, these changes are expected to create new opportunities for the deployment of quantum technologies within the energy sector. Building on the authors' previous reviews on the current state of and future opportunities for quantum sensing, quantum computing and quantum simulations for energy sector applications, this work provides an overview of recent progress in quantum networking and communications for the energy industry, with a focus on platforms, devices, and protocols, including quantum teleportation and quantum key distribution. Specific areas of relevance to the energy sector are then analyzed, including the role of quantum networks for greenhouse gas monitoring, secure data collection and transmission in smart grids, nuclear power plants’ safety, facilitating oil and gas exploration, and other energy‐relevant applications. This review concludes with a brief overview of areas for future innovation, including the need for platforms for simulating quantum networks, quantum material and platform design, and computational approaches to accelerate quantum protocol discovery and development.

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Q3Sat: quantum communications uplink to a 3U CubeSat—feasibility & design

Cited by 41 publications

References 53 publications

Satellite-based links for quantum key distribution: beam effects and weather dependence

Satellite-based links for quantum key distribution: beam effects and weather dependence

Nanobob: a cubesat mission concept for quantum communication experiments in an uplink configuration

Quantum Communication Networks for Energy Applications: Review and Perspective

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