Canada-UK Quantum Technologies call: Reference-Frame Independent Quantum Communication for Satellite-Based Networks (ReFQ)

我们建议实现和研究一种执行基于卫星的量子密钥分配(QKD)的新方法的空间演示。建立可行的量子密钥分发系统的主要挑战之一是确保源和接收器之间的光子编码的参照系是对齐的。我们将实施和研究新的量子协议，这些协议可以简化将量子密钥分配发射器和接收器集成到空间和地面有效载荷中。作为本项目的主要成果，我们将展示一种优雅的量子通信技术的可行性，该技术可以为未来量子通信网络的强大和经济的解决方案奠定基础。该项目将包括开发一个模块化的QKD发射器，该发射器可以作为实验有效载荷在低地球轨道卫星上实施，目标是加拿大QEYSSat任务。该项目的主要硬件交付成果将是适合于太空飞行的QKD发射器单元(飞行模型单元)以及适合地面测试的原型单元(工程模型单元)。

We propose to implement and study an in-space demonstration of a new approach to perform satellite-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). One of the main challenges in building a viable QKD system is to ensure the frames of reference of the photon encoding between the source and the receiver are aligned. We will implement and study novel quantum protocols that can simplify the integration of a QKD emitter and receiver into the space - and ground payloads. As the main outcome of this project, we will have shown the viability of an elegant quantum communication technology that could form the basis for a robust and economic solution for future quantum communication networks. The project will include the development of a modular QKD emitter that could be implemented on a low earth orbiting satellite as an experimental payload, with the target being the Canadian QEYSSat mission. Principal hardware deliverables on the project will be a QKD emitter unit that is suitable for space flight (Flight Model Unit) as well as a prototype unit that is suitable for ground testing (Engineering Model Unit).