Terrestrial readiness campaign for space-to-ground quantum communications with a space-qualified entangled photon-pair system

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2605.19689v1
• Date: Tue, 19 May 2026 11:20:52 GMT
• Title: Terrestrial readiness campaign for space-to-ground quantum communications with a space-qualified entangled photon-pair system
• Abstract summary: We report on a free-space Quantum Key Distribution experiment conducted over a 1.8 km free-space link.<n>By implementing a BBM92 protocol with polarization-entangled photons, a secret key rate of approximately 7.56 kbps was produced.<n>Results confirm the operational compatibility between the ground and space segments.
• Score: 29.849002911075385
• License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/
• Abstract: Realizing a global quantum internet relies on the deployment of robust satellite-based entanglement distribution links. While pioneering demonstrations have established the feasibility of such links, the transition to operational infrastructure demands the validation of robust, integrated space-to-ground architectures. Here, we report on a free-space Quantum Key Distribution experiment conducted over a 1.8 km free-space link using an engineering model of the quantum payload onboard the SpeQtre satellite and the Abu Dhabi Quantum Optical Ground Station. By implementing a BBM92 protocol with polarization-entangled photons, a secret key rate of approximately 7.56 kbps with a mean quantum bit error rate of 4.78%+-0.24% was produced. The deployed system featured spectral and spatial filtering approaches identical to those in the space segment, thus validating the link budget and background rejection capabilities under realistic atmospheric conditions. These results confirm the operational compatibility between the ground and space segments, establishing a critical performance baseline for the SpeQtre mission and future space-based, large-scale quantum networks.

Related papers

• Space Network of Experts: Architecture and Expert Placement [53.89437186709926]
  Space data centers are envisioned as a promising platform for executing energy-intensive large language models (LLMs)<n>One key challenge, however, is the efficient distributed deployment of a large-scale LLM in a satellite network.<n>We present the Space Network of Experts (Space-XNet) framework targeting the distributed execution of a popular mixture-of-experts (MoE) model in space.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2026-05-01T08:40:31Z)
• Operational limits to entanglement-based satellite quantum key distribution [0.0]
  Entanglement-based quantum key distribution is prone to finite key effects due to low coincident count rates.<n>We develop a high-fidelity model of pair distribution from a low Earth orbit satellite.<n>We integrate this with a rigorous finite-key security framework for the BBM92 protocol to optimise secret key length across different overpass geometries.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2026-02-12T11:22:15Z)
• Optical Downlink Modeling for LEO and MEO Satellites under Atmospheric Turbulence with a Quantum State Tomography Use Case [0.0]
  This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the link budget for free-space optical systems involving Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites.<n>We develop a detailed model of the satellite-to-ground channel that accounts for the primary physical processes affecting transmittance.<n>We propose a scheme for quantum state tomography performed on states generated by an onboard photon source on an LEO or MEO satellite and transmitted to the optical ground station.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-12-15T19:09:37Z)
• Emulation of satellite up-link quantum communication with entangled photons [75.38606213726906]
  We demonstrate an ultra-bright source of far-non-degenerate entangled photons and perform quantum key distribution in emulated high-loss satellite scenarios.<n>With a loss profile corresponding to that of one of the pioneering Micius up-link experiments, and a terrestrial end user separated by 10km of telecom fibre we achieve secure key accumulation of 5.2kbit in a single overpass in the limit.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2025-02-05T19:14:55Z)
• Quantum Entanglement Distribution via Uplink Satellite Channels [41.94295877935867]
  Quantum satellites generate entangled pairs in space and distribute them to ground stations separated some distance away.<n> reverse uplink case, where pairs are generated on the ground and swapped on the satellite using an optical Bell-measurement, has not been seriously considered.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2024-09-30T06:25:56Z)
• Quantum Key Distribution Using a Quantum Emitter in Hexagonal Boron Nitride [48.97025221755422]
  We demonstrate a room temperature, discrete-variable quantum key distribution system using a bright single photon source in hexagonal-boron nitride. We have generated keys with one million bits length, and demonstrated a secret key of approximately 70,000 bits, at a quantum bit error rate of 6%. Our work demonstrates the first proof of concept finite-key BB84 QKD system realised with hBN defects.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-02-13T09:38:51Z)
• QUICK$^3$ -- Design of a satellite-based quantum light source for quantum communication and extended physical theory tests in space [73.86330563258117]
  Single photon source can enhance secure data rates in satellite-based quantum key distribution scenarios. payload is being integrated into a 3U CubeSat and scheduled for launch in 2024 into low Earth orbit.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2023-01-26T15:34:11Z)
• A CubeSat platform for space based quantum key distribution [62.997667081978825]
  We report on the follow-up mission of SpooQy-1, a 3U CubeSat that successfully demonstrated the generation of polarization-entangled photons in orbit. The next iteration of the mission will showcase satellite-to-ground quantum key distribution based on a compact source of polarization-entangled photon-pairs. We briefly describe the design of the optical ground station that we are currently building in Singapore for receiving the quantum signal.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2022-04-23T06:28:43Z)
• Realizing quantum nodes in space for cost-effective, global quantum communication: in-orbit results and next steps [94.08853042978113]
  SpooQy-1 is a satellite developed at the Centre for Quantum Technologies. It has successfully demonstrated the operation of an entangled photon pair source on a resource-constrained CubeSat platform.
  arXiv  Detail & Related papers  (2021-04-22T02:59:23Z)

This list is automatically generated from the titles and abstracts of the papers in this site.

This site does not guarantee the quality of this site (including all information) and is not responsible for any consequences.