Proposal Number:          21-1- T5.04-2355

          

          

   

Subtopic Title:
      Quantum Communications

          

          

   

Proposal Title:
      Entangled Photon Transceiver Leveraging Photonic Integrated Circuit Technology

          

          

   

Firm:

          

Freedom Photonics, LLC

          

   

Address:

          

41 Aero Camino, Santa Barbara, CA 93117 - 3104

          

   

Phone:

          

(805) 967-4900                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

University of California, San Diego

          

   

Address:

          

7500 Gilman Drive, CA 92093 - 0001

          

   

Phone:

          

(858) 534-4483                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Dr. Gordon Morrison

          

   

E-mail:

          

gordon@freedomphotonics.com

          

   

Address:

          

41 Aero Camino, CA 93117 - 9311

          

   

Phone:

          

(805) 967-4900                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Name:

          

Milan Mashanovitch

          

   

E-mail:

          

mashan@freedomphotonics.com

          

   

Address:

          

41 Aero Camino, CA 93117 - 3104

          

   

Phone:

          

(805) 967-4900                                                                                                                                                                                

          

   

Estimated Technology Readiness Level (TRL) :                                                                                                                                                          
Begin: 3
End: 4

          

          

     

Technical Abstract (Limit 2000 characters, approximately 200 words):

The development and scaling of a nationwide fault-tolerant quantum network is of crucial interest to both the domestic and international scientific community. To achieve large scale quantum networks, quantum teleportation, the technique in which quantum information (a.k.a. qubits) is transferred between a sender and receiver, needs to be realized in a low-cost, size, weight and power (low-CSWAP) form factor. Extending quantum teleportation technology to photonic integrated components, which significantly reduces CSWAP and increases environmental stability can allow for a scalable space-deployable quantum network. A key component to this system is the entangled photon-pair source.  Recent developments in quantum communications have successfully demonstrated quantum communications link in space by the Chinese Micius satellite for quantum studies and quantum communication. Freedom Photonics is exploring photonic integrated circuit (PIC) solutions for entangled photon sources in satellite applications.  The PICs that will be developed here will allow the low-CSWAP implementation of high-brightness quantum transmitters in LEO satellites to allow for enhanced quantum communications.

 

Photonic quantum communication devices currently have stringent system level requirements that are still being explored. Freedom Photonics LLC and our RI team member are partnering to combine high-performance photonic technology for entangled photon sources.

          

          

     

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

Exploring photonic integrated technology that is readily available in telecommunications has become imperative for space-based and airborne quantum communication systems in order to further Nasa’s goal of a U.S. Global Quantum Network by 2032. Additionally, the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) technology being developed can extend to technology needs for other flight missions needing PIC technology for classical communication links and sensors.

          

          

     

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

A US Government study in 2017 estimated quantum encryption products have a market of $50M to $500M [K. W. Crane et al., IDA Paper P-8567 (2017)]. Also, due to stringent requirements for quantum communications, this technology can be used in classical communication systems, which is a trillion-dollar industry (USTelecom).

          

          

     

Duration:     13