Drone-based quantum communication links

Andrew Conrad; Samantha Isaac; Roderick Cochran; Daniel Sanchez-Rosales; Tahereh Rezaei; Timur Javid; A. J. Schroeder; Grzegorz Golba; Daniel Gauthier; Paul Kwiat

doi:10.1117/12.2647923

8 March 2023 Drone-based quantum communication links

Andrew Conrad, Samantha Isaac, Roderick Cochran, Daniel Sanchez-Rosales, Tahereh Rezaei, Timur Javid, A. J. Schroeder, Grzegorz Golba, Daniel Gauthier, Paul Kwiat

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12446, Quantum Computing, Communication, and Simulation III; 124460H (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2647923
Event: SPIE Quantum West, 2023, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Quantum networks between mobile platforms enable secure communication, distributed quantum sensors, and distributed quantum computing. As progress towards a future quantum internet continues, connecting mobile platforms (e.g., unmanned drones, smart vehicles, ships, and planes) to quantum networks remains a challenge. For instance, engineering constraints for real-world mobile platforms require low size, weight, and power (SWaP) for quantum systems. Additionally, single photons must be routed to platforms that are in motion and experience vibrations. In this effort, we discuss progress toward developing and demonstrating quantum communication links, including decoy-state quantum key distribution (QKD), between mobile drone and vehicle platforms in several configurations (drone-to-drone, drone-to-moving vehicle, and vehicle-to-vehicle). We will discuss and analyze critical subsystems including our decoy-state QKD source based on resonant cavity light emitting diodes (LED), compact optical system design, pointing, acquisition, and tracking (PAT) subsystem, single-photon detectors, field-programmable gate array-based time-tagger, and a novel time-synchronization algorithm. In addition, we present system performance including tracking performance under multiple conditions and mobile platform configurations.

Conference Presentation

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Andrew Conrad, Samantha Isaac, Roderick Cochran, Daniel Sanchez-Rosales, Tahereh Rezaei, Timur Javid, A. J. Schroeder, Grzegorz Golba, Daniel Gauthier, and Paul Kwiat "Drone-based quantum communication links", Proc. SPIE 12446, Quantum Computing, Communication, and Simulation III, 124460H (8 March 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2647923

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