One way to improve the acquisi tion of planetary information from robotic landers is to use many smaller robotic explorers that can cover more ground than a single conventional rover , given that the existing launch capabilities constrain the mass of planetary robotic landers to a relati vely fixed value . In addressing this vision, NASA has been challenged in the National Nanotechnology Initiative to research the development of miniature robots built from nano -sized components. These robots have very significant challenges, such as mobil ity and communication, given the small size and limited power generation capability. The research presented here has been focused on developing a communications system that has the potential for provid ing ultra -low power communications for robots such as t hese. In this paper an optical communications technique that is based on quantum entangled photons is presented. This technique both minimizes radiated power and is appropriate for the size scale of the robot. Simulations of this system show that the rad iated power may be reduced to extremely low levels for line -of -sight communication over distances of several kilometers, even in the presence of ambient light. The immunity to background noise makes this technique very promising in comparison to classical optical communications for ultra -low power applications. The results of t his research will generate requirements definitions for transceiver components built from nanotechnology. Results from experiments demonstrating aspects of this communications techn ique are presented.
One way to improve the acquisi tion of planetary information from robotic landers is to use many smaller robotic explorers that can cover more ground than a single conventional rover , given that the existing launch capabilities constrain the mass of planetary robotic landers to a relati vely fixed value . In addressing this vision, NASA has been challenged in the National Nanotechnology Initiative to research the development of miniature robots built from nano -sized components. These robots have very significant challenges, such as mobil ity and communication, given the small size and limited power generation capability. The research presented here has been focused on developing a communications system that has the potential for provid ing ultra -low power communications for robots such as t hese. In this paper an optical communications technique that is based on quantum entangled photons is presented. This technique both minimizes radiated power and is appropriate for the size scale of the robot. Simulations of this system show that the rad iated power may be reduced to extremely low levels for line -of -sight communication over distances of several kilometers, even in the presence of ambient light. The immunity to background noise makes this technique very promising in comparison to classical optical communications for ultra -low power applications. The results of t his research will generate requirements definitions for transceiver components built from nanotechnology. Results from experiments demonstrating aspects of this communications techn ique are presented.
One concept for planetary exploration involves using many small robotic landers that can cover more ground than a single conventional lander. In addressing this vision, NASA has been challenged in the National Nanotechnology Initiative to research the development of miniature robots built from nano-sized components. These robots have very significant challenges, such as mobility and communication, given the small size and limited power generation capability. The research presented here has been focused on developing a communications system that has the potential for providing ultra-low power communications for robots such as these. In this paper an optical communications technique that is based on transmitting recognizable sets of photons is presented. Previously pairs of photons that have an entangled quantum state have been shown to be recognizable in ambient light. The main drawback to utilizing entangled photons is that they can only be generated through a very energy inefficient nonlinear process. In this paper a new technique that generates sets of photons from pulsed sources is described and an experimental system demonstrating this technique is presented. This technique of generating photon sets from pulsed sources has the distinct advantage in that it is much more flexible and energy efficient, and is well suited to take advantage of the very high energy efficiencies that are possible when using nano scale sources. For these reasons the communication system presented in this paper is well suited for use in very small, low power landers and rovers. In this paper a very low power optical communications system for miniature robots, as small as 1 cu cm is addressed. The communication system is a variant of photon counting communications. Instead of counting individual photons the system only counts the arrival of time coincident sets of photons. Using sets of photons significantly decreases the bit error rate because they are highly identifiable in the presence of ambient light. An experiment demonstrating reliable communication over a distance of 70 meters using less than a billionth of a watt of radiated power is presented. The components used in this system were chosen so that they could in the future be integrated into a cubic centimeter device.
In this paper a very low power optical communications system is addressed that could be developed specifically for creating networks involving a planetary lander and fixed or mobile sensor stations that could be as small as 1 cm3. The communication system is a variant of photon-counting based communications. Instead of counting individual photons, the system only counts the arrival of time coincident sets of photons. Using sets of photons significantly decreases the bit error rate because they are highly identifiable in the presence of ambient light.An experiment demonstrating reliable communication over a distance of 70 m using less than a billionth of a watt of radiated power is presented. The experiment also compares this technique to traditional photon counting and successfully demonstrates that time coincident photon communications can achieve an equivalent bit error rate at a signal-to-noise ratio that is 5 to 7 dB lower than what is needed for classical photon counting communication. The components used in this system were chosen so that they could in the future be integrated into a cubic centimeter device.
Quantum communications and quantum cryptography are developing rapidly during the last decades caused partly by a fast progress in quantum computing. Quantum cryptography provides an unconditionally secure way of communicating whereas traditional classical cryptographic protocols are likely to be broken by super powerful quantum computers. In the past few years distances covered by quantum communications have increased by an order of magnitude. To provide a global coverage for the quantum networks, a satellite based quantum communications is the most promising solution. \n \nAs an emerging field, QKD systems are still under evolution process. Despite outstanding security proven theoretically, it has loopholes caused by their implementations. To test QKD, find the possible loopholes and suggest ways to fix them, is a job of many scientific groups. \nIn this thesis I start with presenting my work for a securing test of a commercial QKD system Clavis2. A Trojan-horse attack on Bob's apparatus was prepared by testing reflections and transmissions of all optical components in Bob's scheme. The attack was implemented and found to be unsuccessful at the tested wavelengths due to afterpulsing effect in Bob's single-photon detectors reacting to the bright light attack pulses. \n \nThree chapters of the thesis are dedicated to custom built single-photon detectors (SPDs) based on commercial Silicon avalanche photodiodes (APDs). Those detectors demonstrate parameters that altogether are not possible to find in commercially available SPDs, especially if combined with a very compact size. One of the in-lab-built SPDs was implemented in 143 km teleportation experiment, where a low dark count rate was crucial for the success of the experiment. The next generation SPD is already built, characterized and ready to be implemented. \n \nAnother 4-channel SPD was built as a prototype for a quantum satellite SPD. It has light weight, low electrical power consumption, low dark count rate and decent other parameters. It was used in the airborne demonstration of QKD receiver payload experiment, when a secret key was successfully generated between a moving aircraft and a ground station. \n \nSPDs installed on a satellite have to be able to work in the harsh space environment during a mission life time. Space radiation dramatically increases dark count rate of APDs. The last project presented in the thesis committed to a radiation test of three types of APDs and one type of photo multiplier tube. The experiment included characterization of all SPDs before and after irradiation by four levels of proton radiation, equivalent to 3 months - 2 years duration in a 600 km low Earth orbit. Three methods for mitigating radiation damage were tested and found to be successful with perspective to use some of them on a quantum satellite to extent life time of SPDs. \n \nTo summarize, this work makes a contribution to the development of SPDs for global quantum communications.
The intersection of Quantum Technologies and Robotics Autonomy is explored in the present paper. The two areas are brought together in establishing an interdisciplinary interface that contributes to advancing the field of system autonomy, and pushes the engineering boundaries beyond the existing techniques. The present research adopts the experimental aspects of quantum entanglement and quantum cryptography, and integrates these established quantum capabilities into distributed robotic platforms, to explore the possibility of achieving increased autonomy for the control of multi-agent robotic systems engaged in cooperative tasks. Experimental quantum capabilities are realized by producing single photons (using spontaneous parametric down-conversion process), polarization of photons, detecting vertical and horizontal polarizations, and single photon detecting/counting. Specifically, such quantum aspects are implemented on network of classical agents, i.e., classical aerial and ground robots/unmanned systems. With respect to classical systems for robotic applications, leveraging quantum technology is expected to lead to guaranteed security, very fast control and communication, and unparalleled quantum capabilities such as entanglement and quantum superposition that will enable novel applications.
The intersection of Quantum Technologies and Robotics Autonomy is explored in the present paper. The two areas are brought together in establishing an interdisciplinary interface that contributes to advancing the field of system autonomy, and pushes the engineering boundaries beyond the existing techniques. The present research adopts the experimental aspects of quantum entanglement and quantum cryptography, and integrates these established quantum capabilities into distributed robotic platforms, to explore the possibility of achieving increased autonomy for the control of multi-agent robotic systems engaged in cooperative tasks. Experimental quantum capabilities are realized by producing single photons (using spontaneous parametric down-conversion process), polarization of photons, detecting vertical and horizontal polarizations, and single photon detecting/counting. Specifically, such quantum aspects are implemented on network of classical agents, i.e., classical aerial and ground robots/unmanned systems. With respect to classical systems for robotic applications, leveraging quantum technology is expected to lead to guaranteed security, very fast control and communication, and unparalleled quantum capabilities such as entanglement and quantum superposition that will enable novel applications.
This paper provides a comprehensive review of the emerging field of quantum robotics and its potential applications in space exploration and astrobiology. The current state-of-the-art in quantum robotics is discussed, including key capabilities enabled by the integration of quantum computing and quantum sensing with robotics. Potential uses of quantum robots for autonomous exploration, biomolecule and biomarker detection, chemical and biological simulations, and navigation in extraterrestrial environments are explored. Technical challenges such as dealing with space radiation, thermal regulation, power requirements, reliability, and communication networks are examined. Current and future space missions that could benefit from quantum robots, such as Mars rovers, exoplanet searches, and sample return missions, are discussed through case studies. The future outlook and prospects of quantum robotics in transforming space exploration and astrobiology through improved efficiency, accuracy, and autonomous operations are highlighted.