International Network on Space Quantum Technologies

Lead Research Organisation: University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Physics

Abstract

Quantum technologies has the potential to revolutionise society by enabling new and enhanced applications for secure communication, sensing and measurement, positioning, navigation, and timing, and computation. Most of the research has concentrated on developing these technologies to work on the Earth, such as quantum key distribution through optical fibres, ground transportable or aerial quantum sensors, and quantum processors. However, by bringing the quantum advantage off this world and into space, we may begin to realise their full potential. Presently, quantum key distribution for securing communications is limited to a few hundred kilometres by the absorption of single photons in optical fibres, to reach global scale requires placing quantum light sources into orbit to operate in the vacuum of space. Quantum sensor-equipped satellites could monitor the Earth with unrivalled accuracy, vital for the fight against climate change. And quantum enhanced clocks could supercharge the next generation of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (aka GPS) and provide ultra-precise timing and positioning wherever you are. But building and putting them into orbit is a considerable challenge as payloads need to survive the rigours of launch and the harsh radiation, thermal, and vacuum environment in space.

This network brings together world experts who are developing space quantum technologies to work together to overcome these challenges. It includes academic institutions, public sector research enterprises, translational research organisations, small and large business, all combining their complementary knowledge and experience. But the high vantage point of space and the coverage it gives are not the only advantages of placing quantum technologies in orbit. Ultimately, we would like to network quantum devices using quantum entanglement. By connecting distributed quantum systems, from quantum computers, quantum sensors, quantum clocks, even quantum telescopes using entanglement, we massively increase their power. The difficulties of sending quantum signals through optical fibres are compounded for entanglement, hence the need for space-based quantum networking to weave a globe spanning quantum internet. The network of quantum researchers and engineers will work towards this grand challenge for a quantum connected world.
 
Description Quantum Sensing of the Geomagnetic Space Weather Environment
Amount £527,928 (GBP)
Funding ID EP/X036391/1 
Organisation Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) 
Sector Public
Country United Kingdom
Start 02/2023 
End 02/2026
 
Description Network Building and Enhancement Visit - QuTech & Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, TU Delft to the University of Strathclyde 
Organisation QuTech
Country Netherlands 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution INSQT funded the Network Building and Enhancement Visit between Ph.D. student at QuTech, TU Delf, Antariksha Das, and Dr. Daniel Oi of the University of Strathclyde.
Collaborator Contribution As a Ph.D. student at QuTech, TU Delft, Antariksha Das' research has been focused on designing, building, and deploying novel experimental systems at the forefront of long-distance quantum communication technology. In particular, he has been exploring the potential of quantum memory systems to create an efficient light-matter interface. His research interests closely aligned with INSQT's mission and the work of Dr. Daniel Oi, principal investigator of INSQT; they delved into some of the most interesting open problems in quantum communication, and their discussion helped bridge the gap between theoretical modeling and experimental development.
Impact As an experimentalist, Antariksha rarely had the chance to spend significant time on theoretical modeling. However, his research discussion with Daniel helped him appreciate the state-of-the-art in quantum communication technology and how it could be used in space applications. Their collaboration resulted in a fruitful project - Antariksha also had the opportunity to interact with Dr. Paul Griffin, Co-investigator of INSQT, and get a glimpse of various research activities that were going on in the department, which created a beautiful research environment that provided platforms to learn and gain experience by working with people with diverse scientific backgrounds and disciplines. Overall, Antariksha's visit to the University of Strathclyde through INSQT and collaboration with Dr. Daniel Oi was an enriching experience that broadened his perspective and deepened his understanding of the state-of-the-art of quantum communication.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Network Building and Enhancement Visit - QuTech & Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, TU Delft to the University of Strathclyde 
Organisation University of Strathclyde
Department Department of Physics
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution INSQT funded the Network Building and Enhancement Visit between Ph.D. student at QuTech, TU Delf, Antariksha Das, and Dr. Daniel Oi of the University of Strathclyde.
Collaborator Contribution As a Ph.D. student at QuTech, TU Delft, Antariksha Das' research has been focused on designing, building, and deploying novel experimental systems at the forefront of long-distance quantum communication technology. In particular, he has been exploring the potential of quantum memory systems to create an efficient light-matter interface. His research interests closely aligned with INSQT's mission and the work of Dr. Daniel Oi, principal investigator of INSQT; they delved into some of the most interesting open problems in quantum communication, and their discussion helped bridge the gap between theoretical modeling and experimental development.
Impact As an experimentalist, Antariksha rarely had the chance to spend significant time on theoretical modeling. However, his research discussion with Daniel helped him appreciate the state-of-the-art in quantum communication technology and how it could be used in space applications. Their collaboration resulted in a fruitful project - Antariksha also had the opportunity to interact with Dr. Paul Griffin, Co-investigator of INSQT, and get a glimpse of various research activities that were going on in the department, which created a beautiful research environment that provided platforms to learn and gain experience by working with people with diverse scientific backgrounds and disciplines. Overall, Antariksha's visit to the University of Strathclyde through INSQT and collaboration with Dr. Daniel Oi was an enriching experience that broadened his perspective and deepened his understanding of the state-of-the-art of quantum communication.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Research Exchange - Koç University to Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin 
Organisation Humboldt University of Berlin
Department Institute of Physics
Country Germany 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution INSQT Funded the Research Exchange between Prof. Özgür Müstecaplioglu and Dr. Mustafa Gündogan of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
Collaborator Contribution The primary motivation for Prof. Özgür Müstecaplioglu's visit was to develop new research directions by exploring the challenges of translating emerging quantum thermal technologies from their terrestrial environments to space. Prof. Müstecaplioglu worked with Dr. Gündogan at the Joint Lab Integrated Quantum Sensors from Dr. Markus Krutzik's group for that aim. Prof. Müstecaplioglu expertise is in quantum optics, condensed matter, and ultracold atomic physics; he was also a Turkish representative of the management committees of two EU Cost Actions, Quantum Technologies for Space and Atomic Quantum Technologies. While he had some prior knowledge of the mutual significance of quantum and space technologies, his two weeks of direct interaction with the experts in Dr. Krutzik's group have illuminated and expanded his horizons to much higher levels. He also interacted with other researchers and students at the Joint Lab Integrated Quantum Sensors and the Department of Physics on related topics, enjoyed many inspiring and fruitful discussions and exchanges on the advantages of microgravity on atomic condensate measurements, effects of gravity on quantum entanglement, and slow light benefits for interferometric measurements.
Impact Prof. Müstecaplioglu and Dr. Gündogan plan to write a joint project proposal to be submitted to the Turkish National Science and Technology Foundation (TÜBITAK) to pursue their goal of translating quantum technologies to space. This joint project will also include training and networking components by organizing lectures and a workshop on space quantum technologies, with the help of INSQT members Dr. Gündogan and Dr. Krutzik, to expose students and researchers to these modern directions.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Research Exchange - Koç University to Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin 
Organisation Koc University
Country Turkey 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution INSQT Funded the Research Exchange between Prof. Özgür Müstecaplioglu and Dr. Mustafa Gündogan of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin.
Collaborator Contribution The primary motivation for Prof. Özgür Müstecaplioglu's visit was to develop new research directions by exploring the challenges of translating emerging quantum thermal technologies from their terrestrial environments to space. Prof. Müstecaplioglu worked with Dr. Gündogan at the Joint Lab Integrated Quantum Sensors from Dr. Markus Krutzik's group for that aim. Prof. Müstecaplioglu expertise is in quantum optics, condensed matter, and ultracold atomic physics; he was also a Turkish representative of the management committees of two EU Cost Actions, Quantum Technologies for Space and Atomic Quantum Technologies. While he had some prior knowledge of the mutual significance of quantum and space technologies, his two weeks of direct interaction with the experts in Dr. Krutzik's group have illuminated and expanded his horizons to much higher levels. He also interacted with other researchers and students at the Joint Lab Integrated Quantum Sensors and the Department of Physics on related topics, enjoyed many inspiring and fruitful discussions and exchanges on the advantages of microgravity on atomic condensate measurements, effects of gravity on quantum entanglement, and slow light benefits for interferometric measurements.
Impact Prof. Müstecaplioglu and Dr. Gündogan plan to write a joint project proposal to be submitted to the Turkish National Science and Technology Foundation (TÜBITAK) to pursue their goal of translating quantum technologies to space. This joint project will also include training and networking components by organizing lectures and a workshop on space quantum technologies, with the help of INSQT members Dr. Gündogan and Dr. Krutzik, to expose students and researchers to these modern directions.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Research Exchange - Oxford University to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory 
Organisation National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Department Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Country United States 
Sector Public 
PI Contribution INSQT Funded the Research Exchange between PhD Student Khadija Sarguroh and Dr. Makan Mohageg of NASA's JPL.
Collaborator Contribution Khadija Sarguroh joined the Optical and Quantum System Engineering group to work on the Deep Space Quantum Link, a project that aims to conduct experiments using quantum optical links in deep space for the purposes of demonstrating their use for quantum communication and testing fundamental physics. The goal of the project was to mature a theoretical concept using quantum memories for spacecraft-based quantum communication and to quantify the advantage a novel system would give to various communication protocols by simulation and derivation of analytical expressions for its behaviour. Working on this project allowed Khadija to use the skills and techniques she learned while completing her master's thesis and apply them in the context of a space mission in an extremely supportive and engaging group. The initial results showed some advantages and she hopes to continue working on this concept in collaboration with the team at JPL to further develop the system and analyse its performance for implementing various quantum communication protocols.
Impact A successful INSQT Research Exchange with benefits to both parties, particularly Khadija Sarguroh as a PhD student.
Start Year 2022
 
Description Research Exchange - Oxford University to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory 
Organisation University of Oxford
Department Department of Physics
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution INSQT Funded the Research Exchange between PhD Student Khadija Sarguroh and Dr. Makan Mohageg of NASA's JPL.
Collaborator Contribution Khadija Sarguroh joined the Optical and Quantum System Engineering group to work on the Deep Space Quantum Link, a project that aims to conduct experiments using quantum optical links in deep space for the purposes of demonstrating their use for quantum communication and testing fundamental physics. The goal of the project was to mature a theoretical concept using quantum memories for spacecraft-based quantum communication and to quantify the advantage a novel system would give to various communication protocols by simulation and derivation of analytical expressions for its behaviour. Working on this project allowed Khadija to use the skills and techniques she learned while completing her master's thesis and apply them in the context of a space mission in an extremely supportive and engaging group. The initial results showed some advantages and she hopes to continue working on this concept in collaboration with the team at JPL to further develop the system and analyse its performance for implementing various quantum communication protocols.
Impact A successful INSQT Research Exchange with benefits to both parties, particularly Khadija Sarguroh as a PhD student.
Start Year 2022
 
Description David Elder Lecture, Glasgow Science Centre 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Public talk on the Space Quantum Internet at the Glasgow Science Centre. Audience of about 100 in-person, streamed on Youtube with more 150+ views as of 14/3/2023. The Glasgow Science Centre Youtube channel has ~3200 subscribers so the viewcount is liable to increase in the coming months. Talk was part of the David Elder Lecture Series https://www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/discover/adult-events/david-elder-lectures "Glasgow Science Centre is proud to host the David Elder Lectures in partnership with the University of Strathclyde's Department of Physics. The David Elder lecture series presents a line-up of fascinating talks by expert astronomers, spaceflight pioneers, award-winning science writers and broadcasters. This lecture series continues the tradition of monthly astronomy lectures in Glasgow which began with the first David Elder Lecture in 1905!"

The talk was aimed at a general audience to raise awareness of quantum technologies, quantum communication, and the development of the space quantum internet, which is a key goal of INSQT. The INSQT and its efforts to promote international cooperation in space quantum technologies was highlighted. The talk showcased work by INSQT member, Craft Prospect Ltd (SME based in Glasgow) with a prototype satellite on display which attracted enormous interest among the attendees as well as questions and discussion after the talk.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJsJNLfc8JE
 
Description Departmental Seminar at Warwick University, Physics 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Departmental seminar at the Department of Physics, University of Warwick. Presentation on the Space Quantum Internet and INSQT efforts to promote international cooperation and development. Outcome was a collaboration initiated between University of Warwick (Prof Animesh Datta) and University of Strathclyde (Dr Daniel Oi), together with Swansea University (Dr James Bateman) on levitated optomechanics for space sensors, resulting in a bid into the UK Space Agency Emerging Technology Programme (ETP) Call 1
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/physics/research/theory/seminars/seminararchive/oct21_new/#:~:text=Dan...
 
Description INSQT Workshop 1 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact INSQT Workshop 1 identified key topics and challenges, stimulated cross-community interaction, and facilitated future research exchanges between INSQT members. It served as an introduction to the network by providing presentations from a wide variety of speakers on a variety of topics. There were 56 attendees.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.insqt.ac.uk/insqt-workshops/workshop-1/
 
Description INSQT Workshop 1.1 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact The aim of this workshop, hosted with professionals from Airbus and the University of Strathclyde, was to establish technically feasible sensor and platform solutions to reliably detect and track hypersonic vehicles and explore potential sensor and platform solutions, bringing together a variety of minds to brainstorm the problem, and to understand the related activities at Strathclyde.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description INSQT Workshop 2: Space Quantum Engineering 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach International
Primary Audience Professional Practitioners
Results and Impact Hosted by the Science and Technology Facilities Council's RAL Space, INSQT Workshop 2 The aims were to address challenges across Space Quantum Technology domains, promote dialogue and close working between the main two communities, enable physicists to appreciate space engineering processes and issues and engineers to appreciate quantum system requirements, and to leverage experience from past & current missions in the early development or planning of future missions.
There were over 63 attendees from 9 countries, with 13 delivered talks, a roundtable panel discussion on EDI in Quantum Technologies in Space, and a poster session with 11 presenters.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
URL https://www.insqt.ac.uk/insqt-workshops/workshop-2-ral-space-application-guidance/
 
Description Quapital summer school 2022, Smolenice, Slovakia 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach National
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Dr Oi was an invited lecturer at the Quapital Summer School on Quantum Communication and gave a short course on satellite quantum key distribution. As a results, several new members joined INSQT
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL http://qute.sk/quapital2022.html
 
Description Visit to International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research, QDM Lab, University of Western Australia 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Visited the International Centre for Radio Astronomy Research (ICRAR) and QDM Lab, University of Western Australia, and gave departmental colloquium. Spoke about space quantum technologies and prospects for fundamental tests of physics in space. Sparked lively discussion of space physics experimental development, use of nanosatellites, and orbital debris risks. Resulted in plans for collaboration between UWA researchers (Dr David Gozzard, Prof Michael Tobar) and University of Strathclyde (Dr Daniel Oi).
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
 
Description Visit to Walton Institute, SETU (Ireland) 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Dr visited the Walton Institute in Waterford, Ireland, and gave a seminar on the Space Quantum Internet. There was much discussion afterwards about the practicalities of satellite quantum key distribution and how to mitigate weather. The visit and talk resulted in plans for future collaboration
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2023
 
Description Washington DC Quantum Computing Group Meetup, Public Talk 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Industry/Business
Results and Impact The Washington DC Quantum Computing Meetup is a special interest group holding invited talks on a variety of topics. Dr Oi gave an online public talk speaking about the Space Quantum Internet and the work of the INSQT. There was lively discussion after the talk covering a tremendous range of topics. There was considerable interest in the work of the INSQT. The Youtube recording of the talk has had nearly 500 views as of 14/3/2023.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2022
URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkZD0lrTYtk