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arXiv:1603.06659 · Physical Review Applied

Generation and Analysis of Correlated Pairs of Photons aboard a Nanosatellite

Zhongkan Tang, Rakhitha Chandrasekara, Yue Chuan Tan, Cliff Cheng, Luo Sha, Goh Cher Hiang, Daniel K. L. Oi, Alexander Ling

Published May 31, 2016• 79 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Progress in quantum computers, and their threat to conventional public-key infrastructure, drives new forms of encryption, including quantum key distribution using entangled photons. Beaming entangled photons to Earth from orbit could provide secure quantum communication over long distances. The authors transform a large, delicate quantum-optics setup into a robust payload for a shoebox-sized CubeSat satellite. Their gear survives the trip to space, and correlated photons are produced and detected aboard the satellite, validating the design---a milestone on the road to a space-based quantum communications network.

DOI
10.1103/physrevapplied.5.054022

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Progress in quantum computers, and their threat to conventional public-key infrastructure, drives new forms of encryption, including quantum key distribution using entangled photons. Beaming entangled photons to Earth from orbit could provide secure quantum communication over long distances. The authors transform a large, delicate quantum-optics setup into a robust payload for a shoebox-sized CubeSat satellite. Their gear survives the trip to space, and correlated photons are produced and detected aboard the satellite, validating the design---a milestone on the road to a space-based quantum communications network.
To overcome the challenges of establishing a global Quantum Key Distribution network using optical fibers, several communication protocols using satellites have been proposed. A major milestone towards such a goal is the demonstration of a working source of entangled photons on a satellite. We are building a compact instrument capable of generating entangled photon pairs through spontaneous parametric down conversion. We intend to follow an iterative development cycle with the first mission to demonstrate that the control electronics can reliably operate an optical source of correlated photons in orbit. The instrument we are building is designed to be integrated into a nanosatellite and conforms to the size, weight and power requirements of a 1U CubeSat. The instrument contains a power stabilized optical pump, single photon detectors and inertial free polarization rotators to measure polarization correlations onboard the nanosatellite. The single photon detection unit utilizes a software based controlling mechanism to achieve temperature independent operation in a typical low earth orbit nanosatellite. The integrated system has been tested for thermal, vacuum and vibration environments. The latest test on a high altitude balloon demonstrates the technology readiness of the electronics payload for space missions.
To enable space-based quantum key distribution proposals the Centre for Quantum Technologies is developing a source of entangled photons ruggedized to survive deployment in space and greatly miniaturised so that it conforms to the strict form factor and power requirements of a 1U CubeSat. The Small Photon Entangling Quantum System is an integrated instrument where the pump, photon pair source and detectors are combined within a single optical tray and electronics package that is no larger than 10 cm x 10 cm x 3 cm. This footprint enables the instrument to be placed onboard nanosatellites or the CubeLab structure aboard the International Space Station. We will discuss the challenges and future prospects of CubeSat-based missions.
Satellite nodes are an enabler of global quantum networks by overcoming the distance limitations of fiber and free-space links on ground. The design of quantum sources and receivers for satellites, however, is challenging in terms of size, weight, and power consumption, as well as mechanical and thermal stability. This is all the more true for cost-efficient nanosatellites such as the popular CubeSat platform standard. Here we report on the follow-up mission of SpooQy-1, a 3U CubeSat that successfully demonstrated the generation of polarization-entangled photons in orbit. The next iteration of the mission will showcase satellite-to-ground quantum key distribution based on a compact source of polarization-entangled photon-pairs, and we have recently completed the integration of a fully functional demonstrator as a milestone towards the flight model. We also briefly describe the design of the optical ground station that we are currently building in Singapore for receiving the quantum signal. We present the most important subsystems and illustrate the concept of operation.
Quantum communication is a prime space technology application and offers near-term possibilities for long-distance quantum key distribution (QKD) and experimental tests of quantum entanglement. However, there exists considerable developmental risks and subsequent costs and time required to raise the technological readiness level of terrestrial quantum technologies and to adapt them for space operations. The small-space revolution is a promising route by which synergistic advances in miniaturization of both satellite systems and quantum technologies can be combined to leap-frog conventional space systems development. Here, we outline a recent proposal to perform orbit-to-ground transmission of entanglement and QKD using a CubeSat platform deployed from the International Space Station (ISS). This ambitious mission exploits advances in nanosatellite attitude determination and control systems (ADCS), miniaturised target acquisition and tracking sensors, compact and robust sources of single and entangled photons, and high-speed classical communications systems, all to be incorporated within a 10 kg 6 litre mass-volume envelope. The CubeSat Quantum Communications Mission (CQuCoM) would be a pathfinder for advanced nanosatellite payloads and operations, and would establish the basis for a constellation of low-Earth orbit trusted-nodes for QKD service provision.
Quantum communication is a prime space technology application and offers near-term possibilities for long-distance quantum key distribution (QKD) and experimental tests of quantum entanglement.However, there exists considerable developmental risks and subsequent costs and time required to raise the technological readiness level of terrestrial quantum technologies and to adapt them for space operations.The small-space revolution is a promising route by which synergistic advances in miniaturization of both satellite systems and quantum technologies can be combined to leap-frog conventional space systems development.Here, we outline a recent proposal to perform orbit-to-ground transmission of entanglement and QKD using a CubeSat platform deployed from the International Space Station (ISS).This ambitious mission exploits advances in nanosatellite attitude determination and control systems (ADCS), miniaturised target acquisition and tracking sensors, compact and robust sources of single and entangled photons, and high-speed classical communications systems, all to be incorporated within a 10 kg 6 litre mass-volume envelope.The CubeSat Quantum Communications Mission (CQuCoM) would be a pathfinder for advanced nanosatellite payloads and operations, and would establish the basis for a constellation of low-Earth orbit trusted-nodes for QKD service provision.