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Satellite Quantum Communications

A special issue of Sensors (ISSN 1424-8220). This special issue belongs to the section "Remote Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2022) | Viewed by 6388

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Matera Space Geodesy Center, Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), Italy
Interests: quantum communication; satellite quantum communication; quantum foundations; space geodesy; laser ranging

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Long distance quantum communications are of fundamental importance today, due to their applications to secure communication, such as quantum key distribution, quantum authentication and quantum digital signature, as well as to fundamental physics, like long distance entanglement distribution, quantum teleportation, and the study of gravitational effects on quantum states. Besides these applications, quantum communications are a fundamental prerequisite for the realization of quantum networks, toward a future quantum internet. While quantum communications have been the object of a widespread interest by the scientific community, the reach of ground-based demonstrators is limited so far to a few hundred kilometers, due to the unavoidable attenuation of light during the propagation in optical fibers. For this reason, for more than two decades, satellite communication links have been studied in hopes of solving this problem, both theoretically and with proof of principle demonstrators.  The outstanding results obtained by the Chinese Quantum Science Satellite (QSS) have shown how the field is now ready to move to the next step, opening the era of satellite quantum communication. These results have attracted the interest of the scientific community, governments, and stakeholders, and several other missions are foreseen in the next future, aiming at expanding even further the results obtained so far.

The MDPI journal Sensors has decided to address this flourishing research topic by launching a Special Issue dedicated to satellite quantum communication. This issue will gather both theoretical and experimental contributions in this emerging field. Topics of interest include (but are not limited to):

  • Satellite quantum terminals
  • New mission proposals
  • Applications of satellite quantum communication
  • Investigation of gravitational effects on quantum communication
  • Link budget estimation
  • Atmospheric effect mitigation
  • Quantum internet and the role of satellite links

Dr. Daniele Dequal
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Satellite quantum communication
  • Satellite laser communication
  • Optical communication
  • Free space optics
  • Quantum key distribution
  • Quantum teleportation
  • Space technology
  • Space-based quantum optics
  • Phenomenology of quantum gravity

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 947 KiB  
Article
Authenticated Semi-Quantum Key Distribution Protocol Based on W States
by Hung-Wen Wang, Chia-Wei Tsai, Jason Lin and Chun-Wei Yang
Sensors 2022, 22(13), 4998; https://doi.org/10.3390/s22134998 - 2 Jul 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2068
Abstract
In 2019, Wen et al. proposed authenticated semi-quantum key distribution (ASQKD) for identity and message using the teleportation of W states and GHZ-like states without pre-shared keys. However, the ASQKD protocol presents a vital issue in the teleportation of W states owing to [...] Read more.
In 2019, Wen et al. proposed authenticated semi-quantum key distribution (ASQKD) for identity and message using the teleportation of W states and GHZ-like states without pre-shared keys. However, the ASQKD protocol presents a vital issue in the teleportation of W states owing to its inappropriate design. Bob recovers the teleported W states without obtaining the position of the corresponding photons and then returns the recovered photons back to Alice. Hence, the teleportation of W states in Wen et al.’s ASQKD protocol was malfunctioning. Moreover, Wen et al.’s ASQKD protocol requires quantum memory, which strongly disobeys the definition of semi-quantum proposed by Boyer et al. Therefore, in this study, we discover the flaws of Wen et al.’s ASQKD protocol and propose an authenticated semi-quantum key distribution protocol. When compared to Wen et al.’s ASQKD protocol, the proposed ASQKD protocol has the following advantages: legal semi-quantum environment (i.e., does not require quantum memory), reduced quantum hardware requirement (i.e., based only on W states), does not involve classical cryptography (i.e., the hash function), and provided 1.6 times higher qubit efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Satellite Quantum Communications)
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16 pages, 1186 KiB  
Article
Vulnerability of Satellite Quantum Key Distribution to Disruption from Ground-Based Lasers
by David R. Gozzard, Shane Walsh and Till Weinhold
Sensors 2021, 21(23), 7904; https://doi.org/10.3390/s21237904 - 26 Nov 2021
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3368
Abstract
Satellite-mediated quantum key distribution (QKD) is set to become a critical technology for quantum-secure communication over long distances. While satellite QKD cannot be effectively eavesdropped, we show it can be disrupted (or ‘jammed’) with relatively simple and readily available equipment. We developed an [...] Read more.
Satellite-mediated quantum key distribution (QKD) is set to become a critical technology for quantum-secure communication over long distances. While satellite QKD cannot be effectively eavesdropped, we show it can be disrupted (or ‘jammed’) with relatively simple and readily available equipment. We developed an atmospheric attenuation and satellite optical scattering model to estimate the rate of excess noise photons that can be injected into a satellite QKD channel by an off-axis laser, and calculated the effect this added noise has on the quantum bit error rate. We show that a ground-based laser on the order of 1 kW can significantly disrupt modern satellite QKD systems due to photons scattering off the satellite being detected by the QKD receiver on the ground. This class of laser can be purchased commercially, meaning such a method of disruption could be a serious threat to effectively securing high-value communications via satellite QKD in the future. We also discuss these results in relation to likely future developments in satellite-mediated QKD systems, and countermeasures that can be taken against this, and related methods, of disruption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Satellite Quantum Communications)
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