Space quantum science and technology at JPL

ULF E. ISRAELSSON, Nan Yu, Inseob Hahn

Rui A. P. Perdigão

Eric A. Burt, William M. Klipstein, Steven R. Jefferts

The primary atomic reference clock in space (PARCS) is a collaboration between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the University of Colorado to build a laser-cooled cesium-beam atomic clock as a science payload for the International Space Station (ISS). The three primary goals of the PARCS experiment are: (1) to demonstrate laser cooling of atoms in space; (2) to use laser cooling to build the most accurate space clock; (3) to use the clock to test fundamental assumptions and predictions of relativity theory. We discuss aspects of the PARCS cesium physics package subsystem design addressing magnetic, microwave and vacuum requirements as well as operational scenarios.

Bongs, Kai

Fred C. Briggs

This paper is a general literature survey of recent research and publications that will attempt to answer the question: “What are the uses of quantum computing in aerospace systems.” Quantum computing is still in the very early stages of development and appears to be at a technology readiness level where subcomponents are being tested in a relevant environment. For example, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is planning to send an experiment to the International Space Station that could lead the way to a quantum global network. It will test communication technologies in the harsh environment of space that could enable two quantum computers to securely connect with each other no matter where they were. This paper will reference JPL’s experiment1.and attempt to summarize quantum computing aerospace applications. The use of machine learning algorithms appears to be one of the most significant enablers of quantum computing. Quantum cryptography and cryptanalysis seem to be the most important applications, among many others since our national security and future lunar exploration competitiveness may depend on it.

Robert J. Thompson

In this paper we will present an overview of the present and future of the Laser Cooling and Atomic Physics (LCAP) program in support of NASA’s Micro-gravity Fundamental Physics program. We will address the role played by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in developing the core technologies to support the wide variety of science that we envision will be explored by this program.