Spacetime effects on satellite-based quantum communications

TL;DR

This paper explores how curved spacetime influences satellite-based quantum communication, revealing gravity-induced noise in photon transmission that can be experimentally detected with current technology.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of spacetime curvature effects on quantum communication protocols, highlighting gravity's impact on photon propagation and information transfer.

Findings

Gravity adds noise to quantum channels

Effects are measurable with current technology

Impacts both entanglement distribution and quantum key distribution

Abstract

We investigate the consequences of space-time being curved on space-based quantum communication protocols. We analyze tasks that require either the exchange of single photons in a certain entanglement distribution protocol or beams of light in a continuous-variable quantum key distribution scheme. We find that gravity affects the propagation of photons, therefore adding additional noise to the channel for the transmission of information. The effects could be measured with current technology.