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EPJ Quantum Technology

Nanosatellite experiments to enable future space-based QKD missions

Robert Bedington, Xueliang Bai, Edward Truong-Cao, Yue Chuan Tan, Kadir Durak, Aitor Villar, James A. Grieve, Daniel K. L. Oi, Alexander Ling

Published Oct 18, 2016• 55 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present a programme for establishing the space worthiness of highly-miniaturised, polarisation-entangled, photon pair sources using CubeSat nanosatellites. Once demonstrated, the photon pair sources can be deployed on more advanced satellites that are equipped with optical links to establish a global space-based quantum key distribution network. In doing so, this work will also bring experimental tests of the overlap between quantum and relativistic regimes closer to realisation.

DOI
10.1140/epjqt/s40507-016-0051-7

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We present a programme for establishing the space worthiness of highly-miniaturised, polarisation-entangled, photon pair sources using CubeSat nanosatellites. Once demonstrated, the photon pair sources can be deployed on more advanced satellites that are equipped with optical links to establish a global space-based quantum key distribution network. In doing so, this work will also bring experimental tests of the overlap between quantum and relativistic regimes closer to realisation.
We report on our progress developing highly-miniaturised, polarisation-entangled, photon pair sources for CubeSats. We have a correlated photon-pair source in orbit in the NUS Galassia 2U CubeSat. We also have an entangled photon pair source in production and a high brightness (1Mcps) entangled photon-pair source in development for our upcoming satellite missions. All our sources are proof-of-principle demonstrations that the hardware necessary for entanglement-based QKD can be miniaturised and made sufficiently robust for operation in nano-satellites. The photon pairs they produce are measured with liquid crystal-based Bell state analysers and Geiger-mode avalanche photo-diodes within the source. These space missions allow our on-the-ground radiation, thermal and vibration tests to be validated and the real-world operation and aging of the source in space to be studied. A BBM92 QKD-capable design of the source has been used in a phase A study of a satellite-to-satellite QKD demonstration mission by the University of New South Wales, Canberra. This mission study uses two 6U CubeSats in LEO and aims to demonstrate QKD over separations of increasing distances as the two CubeSats drift apart.
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.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a technology that can distribute private encryption keys between two parties with strong security assurances underpinned by quantum mechanics. Entanglement-based QKD is one of the strongest forms of QKD. Performing QKD using satellites can overcome the range constraints of ground-based QKD systems imposed by atmospheric losses or attenuation in optical fibers. In 2017, satellite-based QKD has been demonstrated by the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ 630kg Micius satellite. Independently in Singapore we are developing similar, but greatly more compact QKD technologies targeted at CubeSats. Our first on-orbit demonstration of a simple quantum light source was in 2016 on board the Galassia 2U CubeSat. Next on the pad, our SpooQy-1 CubeSat is a 3U GomSpace platform built at CQT that aims to validate the space-worthiness of our next generation entangled photon light source and demonstrate a radio beacon of quantum random numbers. In future missions our miniaturized entangled photon light sources can be combined with high precision Pointing, Acquisition and Tracking System (PATS) and optical communication links to enable a global QKD network with small satellites.
Progress in realising quantum computers threatens to weaken existing public key encryption infrastructure. A global quantum key distribution (QKD) network can play a role in computational attack-resistant encryption. Such a network could use a constellation of high altitude platforms such as airships and satellites as trusted nodes to facilitate QKD between any two points on the globe on demand. This requires both space-to-ground and inter-platform links. However, the prohibitive cost of traditional satellite based development limits the experimental work demonstrating relevant technologies. To accelerate progress towards a global network, we use an emerging class of shoe-box sized spacecraft known as CubeSats. We have designed a polarization entangled photon pair source that can operate on board CubeSats. The robustness and miniature form factor of our entanglement source makes it especially suitable for performing pathfinder missions that studies QKD between two high altitude platforms. The technological outcomes of such mission would be the essential building blocks for a global QKD network.
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.