SpooQySats: cubesats to demonstrate quantum key distribution technologies
James A. Grieve, Robert Bedington, Rakhitha C.M.R.B. Chandrasekara,, Alexander Ling
TL;DR
SpooQySats aims to demonstrate quantum key distribution technology using CubeSats with miniaturized, polarization-entangled photon sources, progressing towards a global secure communication network.
Contribution
First in-orbit demonstration of miniaturized, polarization-entangled photon pair sources on CubeSats for satellite-based quantum key distribution.
Findings
Early version in orbit successfully tested photon sources
Iterative development improves source performance
Potential for global quantum communication network
Abstract
Satellite-based QKD offers the potential to share highly secure encryption keys between optical ground stations all over the planet. SpooQySats is a programme for establishing the space worthiness of highly-miniaturised, polarization entangled, photon pair sources using CubeSat nanosatellites. The sources are being developed iteratively with an early version in orbit already and improved versions soon to be launched. Once fully developed, the photon pair sources can be deployed on more advanced satellites that are equipped with optical links. These can allow for very secure uplinks and downlinks and can be used to establish a global space-based quantum key distribution network. This would enable highly secure symmetric encryption keys to be shared between optical ground stations all over the planet.
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