Quantum sources and receivers operating on-board satellites are an essential building block for global quantum networks. SpooQy-1 is a satellite developed at the Centre for Quantum Technologies, which has successfully demonstrated the operation of an entangled photon pair source on a resource-constrained CubeSat platform. This miniaturized and ruggedized photon pair source is being upgraded to be capable of space-to-ground quantum key distribution and long-range entanglement distribution. In this paper, we share results from SpooQy-1, discuss their relevance for the engineering challenges of a small satellite quantum node, and report on the development of the new light source.
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.
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