Nanobob: a CubeSat mission concept for quantum communication experiments in an uplink configuration

We present a ground-to-space quantum key distribution (QKD) mission concept and the accompanying feasibility study for the development of the associated low earth orbit nanosatellite payload. The quantum information is carried by single photons with the binary codes represented by polarization state...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	EPJ quantum technology 2018-06, Vol.5 (1), p.1-30, Article 6
Main Authors:	Kerstel, Erik, Gardelein, Arnaud, Barthelemy, Mathieu, Fink, Matthias, Joshi, Siddarth Koduru, Ursin, Rupert
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Automatic Binary codes Clock synchronization Communication Communication satellites CubeSat Eavesdropping Engineering Sciences Entanglement Experiments Feasibility studies Low earth orbits Missions Nanosatellites Nanotechnology and Microengineering Photons Physics Physics and Astronomy QKD Quantum Quantum cryptography Quantum entanglement Quantum Information Technology Quantum phenomena Quantum Physics Quantum theory Satellite Space Applications of Quantum Technology Spintronics Synchronism Turbulent flow Uplink
Online Access:	Get full text
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	We present a ground-to-space quantum key distribution (QKD) mission concept and the accompanying feasibility study for the development of the associated low earth orbit nanosatellite payload. The quantum information is carried by single photons with the binary codes represented by polarization states of the photons. Distribution of entangled photons between the ground and the satellite can be used to certify the quantum nature of the link: a guarantee that no eavesdropping can take place. By placing the entangled photon source on the ground, the space segments contains “only” the less complex detection system, enabling its implementation in a compact enclosure, compatible with the 12U CubeSat standard ( ∼ 12 dm 3 ). This reduces the overall cost of the project, making it an ideal choice as a pathfinder for future European quantum communication satellite missions. The space segment is also more versatile than one that contains the source since it is compatible with a multiple of QKD protocols (not restricted to entangled photon schemes) and can be used in quantum physics experiments, such as the investigation of entanglement decoherence. Other possible experiments include atmospheric transmission/turbulence characterization, dark area mapping, fine pointing and tracking, and accurate clock synchronization; all crucial for future global scale quantum communication efforts.
ISSN:	2196-0763 2196-0763