A High Speed Modulator for Quantum Photon Encoding in CubeSat Applications

Kurin T, Pudelko J, Bayraktar Ö, Pfannenmuller C, Vermeer J, Dafner M, Marquardt C, Lurz F (2026)

Publication Type: Conference contribution

Publication year: 2026

Book Volume: Part of F221303

Pages Range: 27-30

Conference Proceedings Title: Proceeding of the 2026 IEEE Space Hardware and Radio Conference

Event location: Hollywood, CA US

DOI: 10.1109/SHaRC69499.2026.11408728

Abstract

This work presents a modulator to drive the optical output system of a Cubesat based quantum random number generator. Such a satellite can provide long range entangled quantum keys via laser downlinks for global quantum encrypted networks. The analog circuitry to differentially modulate the random values on the transmitted laser is designed and evaluated in detail. The system utilizes ultra high speed operational amplifiers optimzed for comparatively low power consumption of 1 W. A state change of the modulator with 2 ns pulse-widths and a rectangular rise time of the pulses of 355 ps was measured.

Authors with CRIS profile

Jonas Pudelko Chair of Optical Quantum Technologies Ömer Bayraktar Chair of Optical Quantum Technologies Christoph Marquardt Chair of Optical Quantum Technologies

Involved external institutions

Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg DE Germany (DE) Platy-Platinen GmbH DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Kurin, T., Pudelko, J., Bayraktar, Ö., Pfannenmuller, C., Vermeer, J., Dafner, M.,... Lurz, F. (2026). A High Speed Modulator for Quantum Photon Encoding in CubeSat Applications. In Proceeding of the 2026 IEEE Space Hardware and Radio Conference (pp. 27-30). Hollywood, CA, US.

MLA:

Kurin, Thomas, et al. "A High Speed Modulator for Quantum Photon Encoding in CubeSat Applications." Proceedings of the 2026 IEEE Space Hardware and Radio Conference (SHaRC), Hollywood, CA 2026. 27-30.

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