Next-Generation Satellite Telecommunications Entangled Photon Source (NextSTEPS)

量子计算机有潜力提供一系列巨大的好处。通过成倍地提高处理能力，它们将解锁新的、令人兴奋的功能，并大大提高我们目前的能力。然而，这确实使长期依赖于计算费用来实现其功能的技术面临风险。这方面的一个例子是加密，它通过使用非对称数学问题来保证数据的安全，这超出了大多数经典计算机的能力。然而，这些问题将很容易被量子计算机解决，从而产生了一个被称为“量子启示录”的问题。目前有两种领先的技术在后量子世界中保证数据安全。后量子密码学（PQC）旨在提供量子计算机无法解决的数学挑战，作为当前方法的新迭代。量子密钥分发（QKD）提供了一种新的密钥分发方法，它支持健壮的对称加密技术，密钥传输机制受到基本物理定律的保护，而不是数学复杂性。两者都得到了极大的关注和投资，最有可能的结果是结合两者优势的混合解决方案。为了支持这些新技术的推出，空间已成为量子安全网络的关键组成部分。卫星提供了在全球范围内传播信息的能力，也允许自由空间光传输，不像地面光纤网络那样受距离的限制。2016年，中国的“墨子号”卫星展示了多项基础技术，这引发了其他国家竞相匹敌这一成就的竞赛。因此，一些面向量子安全的卫星任务正在开发中，主要集中在具有成本效益的小型或纳米卫星上。在这种情况下，一个由Craft Prospect、Alter Technologies和Fraunhofer应用光子学中心组成的联盟已经成立，以开发下一代基于空间的量子安全产品。NextSTEPS将寻求建立一个纠缠光子源的台式演示器。由于需要创建量子计算机网络，这种类型的单元的好处是提高了安全性和未来的相关性。该工作还将考虑该单元在空间使用的要求，特别是小尺寸、重量和功率（SWaP）卫星平台，如纳米卫星。通过该项目，该团队将为未来的量子计算网络创造使能技术，同时还将定义近期的纠缠源QKD产品。

Quantum Computers have the potential to offer a huge range of benefits. By increasing processing power exponentially, they will unlock new, exciting capabilities and improve our current capacity considerably. This does however put at risk technologies which have long relied on computational expense for their function. An example of this is encryption, which keeps data secure via the use of asymmetrical mathematical problems which are beyond the capability of most classical computers. These problems will, however, be easily solvable by quantum computers, creating a problem referred to as the "Quantum Apocalypse".There are currently two front-runner technologies to keep data secure in a post-quantum world. Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) aims to provide mathematical challenges which a quantum computer will not be able to solve, as a new iteration of current methodologies. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) offers a novel method for distributing keys which enables robust symmetrical encryption techniques, with the key transfer mechanism being protected by fundamental laws of physics, as opposed to mathematical complexity. Both are receiving significant focus and investment, with the most likely outcome being hybrid solutions incorporating the benefit of each.To support the roll out of these new technologies, space has emerged as a critical component in networks for quantum security. Satellites offer the ability to distribute information globally, and also allow for free-space optical transfer, which isn't limited by distance in the same way as terrestrial fibre networks. The Chinese Micius satellite demonstrated a number of fundamental technologies in 2016, which has led to a race to match this achievement in other countries. As such a number of satellite missions orientated towards quantum security are in development, predominantly focusing on cost effective small- or nanosatellites.Within this landscape a consortium featuring Craft Prospect, Alter Technologies and Fraunhofer Centre for Applied Photonics has formed to develop the next generation of products for space-based quantum security. NextSTEPS will look to build a benchtop demonstrator of an entangled photon source. The benefits of this type of unit are increased security and future relevance, due to the need for the creation of networks of quantum computers. The work will also consider the requirements of the unit for use in space, and in particular for low Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) satellite platforms such as nanosatellites. Through the project the team will create enabling technologies for future quantum computing networks while also defining near-term entangled-source QKD products.