QEYSSAT: a mission proposal for a quantum receiver in space

Jennewein, Thomas; Bourgoin, Jean Philippe; Higgins, Brendon L.; Holloway, Catherine; Meyer-Scott, Evan; Erven, Chris; Heim, Bettina; Yan, Zhizhong; Hübel, Hannes; Weihs, Gregor; Choi, Eric; D’Souza, Ian; Hudson, Danya; Laflamme, Raymond

doi:10.1117/12.2041693

Cited by 37 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…The main advantage of using an uplink is that it is not necessary to locate a (potentially complex) quantum light source in space, but only to place a receiver on board the satellites [42,43]. It also makes attacks that target receivers significantly more difficult [44].…”

Section: Concepts For Satellite Qkdmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The proposed NanoQEY uplink QKD nanosatellite is projected to create 10 kbit of secure key per month with its 15 cm receiver, paired with a 50 cm telescope on the ground [110]. The microsatellite QEYSSAT uplink proposal however, suggests that a 40 cm receiver can achieve ∼100 kbit of secure key per pass [42]. In contrast, the Micius downlink satellite, with a 30 cm transmitter in space and a 1 m receiver on ground, is achieving >300 kbit of secure key per pass.…”

Section: Establishing Keysmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Progress in satellite quantum key distribution

2017

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Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a family of protocols for growing a private encryption key between two parties. Despite much progress, all ground-based QKD approaches have a distance limit due to atmospheric losses or in-fibre attenuation. These limitations make purely ground-based systems impractical for a global distribution network. However, the range of communication may be extended by employing satellites equipped with high-quality optical links. This manuscript summarizes research and development which is beginning to enable QKD with satellites. It includes a discussion of protocols, infrastructure, and the technical challenges involved with implementing such systems, as well as a top level summary of on-going satellite QKD initiatives around the world.

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Section: Concepts For Satellite Qkdmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Establishing Keysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Progress in satellite quantum key distribution

2017

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“…Many other groups are working on quantum communication between Earth and satellite links. For example, the Institute for Quantum Optics and Quantum Information (IQOQI) in Austria is planning on performing quantum optics experiments, such as a Bell-type experiment with an entangled pair of photons, using an optical ground station (OGS) and the International Space Station (ISS) [25]; the quantum information processing group (QIV) at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL) is investigating quantum communication experiments between the Teide Observatory on Tenerife and the Alphasat I-XL satellite at around a separation of 36 000 km [26]; the Centre for Quantum Technologies (CQT) group at the National University of Singapore, together with the Satellite Research Centre at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University, is investigating a Small Photon-Entangling Quantum System (SPEQS) that will be set into orbit on a type of small satellite known as a CubeSat and be used as a testbed for technology for future quantum communication networks [27][28][29]; the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICIT) in Japan is studying a microsatellite mission called SOCRATES with a goal to experiment with Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) techniques using a Small Optical Transponder (SOTA) on board a small satellite and an optical ground station located at NICT [30]; the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo, in collaboration with industry partners, have proposed a microsatellite mission Quantum Encryption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat) to demonstrate the generation of encryption keys through the creation of quantum links between ground and space, and to conduct fundamental science investigations of long-distance quantum entanglement [31]; and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is investing heavily in projects on long-distance satellite and ground quantum communications [32], for example, see [33].…”

Section: Long-range Quantum Communication Experimentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gravity in the quantum lab

Howl

Hackermüller

Bruschi

et al. 2017

Advances in Physics: X

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At the beginning of the previous century, Newtonian mechanics was advanced by two new revolutionary theories, Quantum Mechanics (QM) and General Relativity (GR). Both theories have transformed our view of physical phenomena, with QM accurately predicting the results of experiments taking place at small length scales, and GR correctly describing observations at larger length scales. However, despite the impressive predictive power of each theory in their respective regimes, their unification still remains unresolved. Theories and proposals for their unification exist but we are lacking experimental guidance towards the true unifying theory. Probing GR at small length scales where quantum effects become relevant is particularly problematic but recently there has been a growing interest in probing the opposite regime, QM at large scales where relativistic effects are important. This is principally because experimental techniques in quantum physics have developed rapidly in recent years with the promise of quantum technologies. Here we review recent advances in experimental and theoretical work on quantum experiments that will be able to probe relativistic effects of gravity on quantum properties. In particular, we emphasise the importance of using the framework of Quantum Field Theory in Curved Spacetime (QFTCS) in describing these experiments. For example, recent theoretical work using QFTCS has illustrated that these quantum experiments could also be used to enhance measurements of gravitational effects, such as Gravitational Waves (GWs). Verification of such enhancements, as well as other QFTCS predictions in quantum experiments, would provide the first direct validation of this limiting case of quantum gravity. ARTICLE HISTORY

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“…verifications [4]- [6], satellite-ground quantum communication projects have been proposed by several countries [7] [8]. Being one of the strategic space projects proposed by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Quantum Science Satellite [9] will be launched in a low earth orbit at an altitude of about 600 km in 2016, which aims to implement satellite-ground quantum communication experiments and carry out a series of tests about fundamental quantum principles on a global scale.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Compact Readout Electronics for the Ground Station of a Quantum Communication Satellite

Qi¹,

Liu²,

Shen

et al. 2015

IEEE Trans. Nucl. Sci.

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Free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) is being developed for achieving unconditional secure communication over ultra-long distance, which requires higher electronics performance, such as higher time measurement precision, higher data-transfer rate, and higher system integration density. As part of the ground station of the Quantum Science Satellite that will be launched in 2016, we specifically designed a compact PCI-based measurement and control electronics with high time-resolution and high data-transfer-rate. Some necessary modules in the quantum communication experiment such as multi-channel counter, system monitor and experiment control are also integrated in a single board. The electronics performance of this system was tested, with the time precision bin size is 23.9 ps and the time resolution root-mean-square (RMS) is less than 24 ps for 16 channels. The dead time is 30 ns. The data transfer rate to a local computer is up to 35 MBps, and the count rate is up to 30 MHz. The system has been proven to perform well and operate stably through a test of in-door free space QKD experiment.

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QEYSSAT: a mission proposal for a quantum receiver in space

Cited by 37 publications

References 10 publications

Progress in satellite quantum key distribution

Progress in satellite quantum key distribution

Gravity in the quantum lab

A Compact Readout Electronics for the Ground Station of a Quantum Communication Satellite

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