Airborne Quantum Key Distribution and Free Space Optical Communications.

The technical scope of the studentship combines fundamental advances in QKD with engineering problems in optical transceiver design to understand the practical implementation of secure FSOC. It is supported by related research at Heriot-Watt University developing single photon counting lidar and image processing. The student will work within an established academic research group led by Dr Ross Donaldson to develop performance prediction models and simulations of a practical freespace QKD communications channel. Simulations will then be validated using a test rig to collect real data. The test rig will also be used to assess new components (such as single photon detectors) as they become commercially available and the processing algorithms that the student will develop. Industrial supervision by Leonardo will ensure that the student gains a valuable insight into the engineering challenges associated with a practical system and equip the student with a sound understanding of typical use case requirements for optical transceiver design for free space transmission.