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Quantum Computing, Communication, and Simulation

Overview of NASA’s quantum metrology laboratory and quantum communications analysis suite for degenerate source verification and validation within aerospace network applications

Evan J. Katz, Adam Fallon, Yousef K. Chahine, Ian Chin, Ian R. Nemitz, Bryan W. Welch, John Lekki

Published Mar 12, 2024• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

NASA Glenn Research Center’s quantum metrology approach is to combine measurements and models. Measurement results and models are subsequently integrated with NASA’s aerospace competency needs to provide an understanding of how spaceflight components work together in quantum network architectures. Trade studies and device measurements are performed within NASA’s Quantum Metrology Laboratory (NQML) whereas dynamic quantum network modeling occurs via the NASA Quantum Communications Analysis Suite (NQCAS) simulation tool. In illustrating the synthesis of the network model and metrology for quantum network development, we have focused on the evaluation of a degenerate Spontaneous Parametric Down Conversion (SPDC) source. Here we present an overview of Hong-Ou-Mandel and Joint Spectral Intensity measurements of the degenerate SPDC source. Results of these experiments are input into NQCAS to evaluate source suitability for entanglement swapping. This demonstrates the technology development approach of coupling of quantum measurement and free space quantum network models.

DOI
10.1117/12.3009164

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NASA Glenn Research Center’s quantum metrology approach is to combine measurements and models. Measurement results and models are subsequently integrated with NASA’s aerospace competency needs to provide an understanding of how spaceflight components work together in quantum network architectures. Trade studies and device measurements are performed within NASA’s Quantum Metrology Laboratory (NQML) whereas dynamic quantum network modeling occurs via the NASA Quantum Communications Analysis Suite (NQCAS) simulation tool. In illustrating the synthesis of the network model and metrology for quantum network development, we have focused on the evaluation of a degenerate Spontaneous Parametric Down Conversion (SPDC) source. Here we present an overview of Hong-Ou-Mandel and Joint Spectral Intensity measurements of the degenerate SPDC source. Results of these experiments are input into NQCAS to evaluate source suitability for entanglement swapping. This demonstrates the technology development approach of coupling of quantum measurement and free space quantum network models.
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NASA is developing quantum metrology capabilities for potential space-based quantum components in future navigation and communications systems. Innate knowledge of component operation is key for the space qualification of these components. This paper focuses on the measurement and analysis of an important characteristic of an entanglement source, the joint spectrum. We describe a spectrometer based on dispersive optical fibers and present experimental measurements of the joint spectrum of a highly non-degenerate SPDC-based entanglement source that emits entangled photons in the near-infrared and telecommunications bands. How the analysis of such a joint spectrum could be applied to the modeling and simulation of entanglement swapping operations as possible extensions of quantum networks is examined. Lastly, we discuss how the separability of the two-photon state is quantified via Schmidt decomposition and how the degree of separability impacts the spectral purity of heralded single-photon emissions.
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An interdisciplinary quantum communications and sensing research effort has been underway at the NASA Glenn Research Center since the summer of 2000. Researchers in the Communications Technology, Instrumentation and Controls, and Propulsion and Turbomachinery Divisions have been working together to study and develop techniques that use the principle of quantum entanglement (QE). This work is supported principally by the Nanotechnology Base R&T program at Glenn. As applied to communications and sensing, QE is an emerging technology that holds promise as a new and innovative way to communicate faster and farther, and to sense, measure, and image environmental properties in ways that are not possible with existing technology. Quantum entangled photons are inseparable as described by a wave function formalism. For two entangled photons, the term inseparable means that one cannot describe one photon without completely describing the other. This inseparability gives rise to what appears as spooky, or nonintuitive, behavior because of the quantum nature of the process. For example, two entangled photons of lower energy can be created simultaneously from a single photon of higher energy in a process called spontaneous parametric down-conversion. Our research is focused on the use of polarization-entangled photons generated by passing a high-energy (blue) photon through a nonlinear beta barium borate crystal to generate two red photons that have orthogonal, but entangled, polarization states. Although the actual polarization state of any one photon is not known until it is measured, the act of measuring the polarization of one photon completely determines the polarization state of its twin because of entanglement. This unique relationship between the photons provides extra information about the system. For example, entanglement makes it easy to distinguish entangled photons from other photons impinging on a detector. For many other applications, ranging from quantum computation and information to quantum sensing, the entanglement property is critical.
Fast characterization of pulsed spontaneous parametric down conversion (SPDC) sources is important for applications in quantum information processing and communications. We propose a simple method to perform this task, which only requires measuring the counts on the two output channels and the coincidences between them, as well as modeling the filter used to reduce the source bandwidth. The proposed method is experimentally tested and used for a complete evaluation of SPDC sources (pair emission probability, total losses, and fidelity) of various bandwidths. This method can find applications in the setting up of SPDC sources and in the continuous verification of the quality of quantum communication links.