TY - JOUR
T1 - Q 3 Sat
T2 - Quantum communications uplink to a 3U CubeSat—feasibility & design
AU - Neumann, Sebastian Philipp
AU - Joshi, Siddarth Koduru
AU - Fink, Matthias
AU - Scheidl, Thomas
AU - Blach, Roland
AU - Scharlemann, Carsten
AU - Abouagaga, Sameh
AU - Bambery, Daanish
AU - Kerstel, Erik
AU - Barthelemy, Mathieu
AU - Ursin, Rupert
PY - 2018/12/1
Y1 - 2018/12/1
N2 - Satellites are the most efficient way to achieve global scale quantum communication (Q.Com) because unavoidable losses restrict fiber based Q.Com to a few hundred kilometers. We demonstrate the feasibility of establishing a Q.Com uplink with a 3U CubeSat, measuring only 10 × 10 × 34 cm 3 , using commercial off-the-shelf components, the majority of which have space heritage. We demonstrate how to leverage the latest advancements in nano-satellite body-pointing to show that our 4 kg CubeSat can generate a quantum-secure key, which has so far only been shown by a much larger 600 kg satellite mission. A comprehensive link budget and simulation was performed to calculate the secure key rates. We discuss design choices and trade-offs to maximize the key rate while minimizing the cost and development needed. Our detailed design and feasibility study can be readily used as a template for global scale Q.Com.
AB - Satellites are the most efficient way to achieve global scale quantum communication (Q.Com) because unavoidable losses restrict fiber based Q.Com to a few hundred kilometers. We demonstrate the feasibility of establishing a Q.Com uplink with a 3U CubeSat, measuring only 10 × 10 × 34 cm 3 , using commercial off-the-shelf components, the majority of which have space heritage. We demonstrate how to leverage the latest advancements in nano-satellite body-pointing to show that our 4 kg CubeSat can generate a quantum-secure key, which has so far only been shown by a much larger 600 kg satellite mission. A comprehensive link budget and simulation was performed to calculate the secure key rates. We discuss design choices and trade-offs to maximize the key rate while minimizing the cost and development needed. Our detailed design and feasibility study can be readily used as a template for global scale Q.Com.
KW - CubeSat
KW - Feasibility study
KW - Quantum communication
KW - Quantum key distribution
KW - Quantum optics
KW - Satellite technology
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85052552931&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1140/epjqt/s40507-018-0068-1
DO - 10.1140/epjqt/s40507-018-0068-1
M3 - Article (Academic Journal)
AN - SCOPUS:85052552931
SN - 2196-0763
VL - 5
JO - EPJ Quantum Technology
JF - EPJ Quantum Technology
IS - 1
M1 - 4
ER -