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Leap in Advancing of crItical Quantum key distribution-spAce components

Project description

New technologies for a global space-based quantum network

Quantum communications offer a highly secure means of sharing cryptographic keys that are virtually impregnable. Functional Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) components and advanced system integration techniques play a crucial role in ensuring the unconditional security of quantum communications. In this context, the EU-funded LaiQa project is dedicated to developing technologies for establishing a global space-based quantum network. The project aims to achieve this by developing a high-brightness 1 550 nm entangled photon pair source (EPPS), a quantum memory for long-distance entanglement distribution, an advanced fiber-coupling/adaptive optics system for integrating space and terrestrial QKD segments, and software components optimising LaiQa architecture. Moreover, the project will demonstrate QKD systems in laboratory and terrestrial Free-Space Optical testbeds, as well as through field demonstrations.

Objective

LaiQa comes as a technology intensive research and innovation action aiming to develop and advance critical components and technologies necessary to build a global spaced-based quantum network. LaiQa envisions to realize unconditionally secure quantum communications over long distances bringing functional QKD components together with advanced system integration techniques towards deployable space-QKD systems. The project's objectives will include the development of space-deployable, high-brightness 1550 nm entangled photon pair source (EPPS), a space-suitable Decoy State - BB84 Prepare and Measure (P&M) source, a photonic integrated EPPS for next-generation on-board sender stations, a quantum memory for long-distance entanglement distribution, an advanced fiber-coupling/adaptive optics system for converged space/terrestrial QKD segments, and software components towards the optimization of LaiQa architecture. The project will demonstrate P&M- and entanglement based QKD systems both in lab/terrestrial FSO testbeds and in field demonstrations in Helmos optical ground station (OGS). LaiQa will also mobilize its consortium to prioritize standardization activities that focus on space components for P&M- and entanglement-QKD, consider interfaces and parameters for them to propose specification standards and potentially trigger new standardization activities within EU.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

Keywords

Programme(s)

Topic(s)

Funding Scheme

HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions

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Call for proposal

(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL4-2023-SPACE-01

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Coordinator

EREVNITIKO PANEPISTIMIAKO INSTITOUTO SYSTIMATON EPIKOINONION KAI YPOLOGISTON
Net EU contribution
€ 458 187,50
Address
PATISION 42
106 82 ATHINA
Greece
Region
Αττική Aττική Κεντρικός Τομέας Αθηνών
Activity type
Research Organisations
Links
Total cost
No data

Participants (7)