Inter-satellite Quantum Key Distribution at Terahertz Frequencies
This work addresses the challenge of secure and high-capacity quantum communication for space-based and terrestrial networks, though it appears incremental as it applies existing quantum methods to a new frequency and deployment context.
The paper tackles the problem of enabling quantum communication within a micro-satellite constellation in Low-Earth-Orbit and to terrestrial stations by exploring terahertz frequencies, demonstrating that THz quantum entanglement distribution and quantum key distribution are viable deployment options. This opens up possibilities for integrating global quantum and wireless networks.
Terahertz (THz) communication is a topic of much research in the context of high-capacity next-generation wireless networks. Quantum communication is also a topic of intensive research, most recently in the context of space-based deployments. In this work we explore the use of THz frequencies as a means to achieve quantum communication within a constellation of micro-satellites in Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO). Quantum communication between the micro-satellite constellation and high-altitude terrestrial stations is also investigated. Our work demonstrates that THz quantum entanglement distribution and THz quantum key distribution are viable deployment options in the micro-satellite context. We discuss how such deployment opens up the possibility for simpler integration of global quantum and wireless networks. The possibility of using THz frequencies for quantum-radar applications in the context of LEO deployments is briefly discussed.