NASA STTR 2020-I Solicitation

Proposal Summary

PROPOSAL NUMBER:
 20-1- T5.04-5470
SUBTOPIC TITLE:
 Quantum Communications
PROPOSAL TITLE:
 Doppler-Compensated Integrated Photonic Time-Bin Entanglement Transceiver
SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (SBC):
Physical Sciences, Inc.
20 New England Business Center
Andover MA  01810 - 1077
Phone: (978) 689-0003
RESEARCH INSTITUTION (RI):
Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois (at Urbana-Champaign)
SPA, 1901 S. First Street, Suite A
IL  61820 - 7406
Phone: (217) 333-2187

Principal Investigator (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)

Name:
Dr. Christopher Evans
E-mail:
cevans@psicorp.com
Address:
20 New England Business Center Andover, MA 01810 - 1077
Phone:
(978) 738-8159

Business Official (Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)

Name:
Dr. B. David Green
E-mail:
green@psicorp.com
Address:
20 New England Business Center Andover, MA 01810 - 1077
Phone:
(978) 689-0003
Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) :
Begin: 1
End: 3
Technical Abstract (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words)

A quantum network based on quantum entanglement is a potentially revolutionary technology with anticipated applications, such as “blind” quantum computing and secure communications, as well as a host of yet-to-be-discovered uses. To realize the true potential of quantum entanglement, scientists and engineers need standardized and reliable hardware to transmit and receive entangled quantum states of light. A key component of this network will be entanglement distributions transceivers. These components will both generate pairs of entangled photons that can be sent to other nodes within the network as well as receive and analyze photons from other transceiver units. While fiber-based networks may be useful in the near-term, placing such transceivers within a satellite-based network—which is capable of long-distance networking—represents a major milestone for the development of quantum information technologies. Consequently, such components should be low size, weight, and power (SWaP) to be compatible with satellite transmission. To address this challenge, PSI will team with Prof. Paul Kwiat (University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, UIUC) and develop a Doppler-compensated Integrated Photonic Time-bin Entanglement Transceiver using a photonic integrated circuit platform. This transceiver will become a standardized component that will facilitate the exploration of quantum-entanglement applications both terrestrially and for space-based missions.

Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words)

The transceiver technology developed within this program is well-suited for space-based quantum communications, simultaneously having low size, weight, and power requirements while being specifically designed for the challenges of satellite-to-satellite and satellite-to-ground quantum entanglement distribution. In addition to serving as a test platform for NASA’s quantum information research, these transceiver modules will be key components for future NASA missions that may include space-based quantum networking.

Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words)

The proposed transceiver modules could be added to augment next-generation satellites with quantum capabilities. In addition, this time-based technology, which operates at telecommunication wavelengths, is well-matched to fiber-based quantum networks.

Duration: 13
Form Generated on 06/29/2020 21:14:10