Quantum Communication with Photonic Integrated Circuits on a CubeSat
Pudelko J, Bayraktar Ö, Vermeer J, Vill L, Khan I, Boxleitner W, Petscharnig S, Pacher C, Leuchs G, Marquardt C (2025)
Publication Type: Conference contribution
Publication year: 2025
Publisher: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Conference Proceedings Title: 2025 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe and European Quantum Electronics Conference, CLEO/Europe-EQEC 2025
Event location: Munich, DEU
ISBN: 9798331512521
DOI: 10.1109/CLEO/EUROPE-EQEC65582.2025.11110274
Abstract
Exponential losses limit the range of fiber based quantum key distribution (QKD) systems to several hundreds of kilometers [1]. In contrast, a satellite based QKD infrastructure could cover intercontinental distances and would enable world wide secure communication [2]. However, the profitability of a commercial system is highly dependent on its size, weight and power requirements. Photonic integration [3] is a well suited option as it allows the integration of all required optical components for a QKD system onto a single photonic integrated circuit (PIC). In this work, we present our CubeSat payload consisting of a PIC based sender for modulated weak coherent states as well as a quantum random number generator (QRNG). It was launched in 2024 as part of the QUBE mission [4], which aims for the demonstration of novel miniaturized building blocks for satellite quantum communication.
Authors with CRIS profile
Involved external institutions
Max-Planck-Institut für die Physik des Lichts (MPL) / Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light
Germany (DE)
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
Austria (AT)
Germany (DE)
AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
Austria (AT)
How to cite
APA:
Pudelko, J., Bayraktar, Ö., Vermeer, J., Vill, L., Khan, I., Boxleitner, W.,... Marquardt, C. (2025). Quantum Communication with Photonic Integrated Circuits on a CubeSat. In 2025 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe and European Quantum Electronics Conference, CLEO/Europe-EQEC 2025. Munich, DEU: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc..
MLA:
Pudelko, Jonas, et al. "Quantum Communication with Photonic Integrated Circuits on a CubeSat." Proceedings of the 2025 Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Europe and European Quantum Electronics Conference, CLEO/Europe-EQEC 2025, Munich, DEU Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2025.
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