Satellite Quantum Communication via the Alphasat Laser Communication Terminal - Quantum Signals from 36 thousand kilometers above Earth
Dominique Elser, Kevin Gunthner, Imran Khan, Birgit Stiller, Christoph Marquardt, Gerd Leuchs, Karen Saucke, Daniel Trondle, Frank Heine, Stefan Seel, Peter Greulich, Herwig Zech, Bjorn Gutlich, Ines Richter, Rolf Meyer · 2015
By harnessing quantum effects, we nowadays can use encryption that is in principle proven to withstand any conceivable attack. These fascinating quantum features have been implemented in metropolitan quantum networks around the world. In order to interconnect such networks over long distances, optical satellite communication is the method of choice. Standard telecommunication components allow one to efficiently implement quantum communication by measuring field quadratures (continuous variables). This opens the possibility to adapt our Laser Communication Terminals (LCTs) to quantum key distribution (QKD). First satellite measurement campaigns are currently validating our approach.