Quantum information, computation, and technology at JPL

ULF E. ISRAELSSON, Nan Yu, Inseob Hahn

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.

Lute Maleki, Nan Yu

V. Ravishankar

Eric A. Burt, Blake Tucker, Kameron Larsen +2 more

Over the past decade, trapped ion atomic clock development at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has focused on two directions: 1) new atomic clock technology for space flight applications that require strict adherence to size, weight, and power requirements, and 2) ultra-stable atomic clocks, usually for terrestrial applications emphasizing ultimate performance. In this paper we present a new ultra-stable trapped ion clock designed, built, and tested in the second category. The first new standard, L10, will be delivered to the Naval Research Laboratory for use in characterizing DoD space clocks.