US 11,962,354 B2 · Hybrid space-fiber quantum networks for widespread entanglement distribution

Abstract

A system and method for providing quantum entanglement using a hybrid space-fiber quantum network are described. The hybrid space-fiber quantum network includes a communications hub located proximate to an optical ground station and also includes an aerial entangled particle source, such as an entangled photon source attached to a satellite, drone, aircraft, etc. An atmospheric or free-space channel is used to distribute quantum entanglement between optical ground stations that are separated by geographic distances, via the aerial entangled particle source. Also, fiber optic links are connected to the communications hub located proximate to the optical ground station. The communications hub includes optical switches that enable any of the fiber optic links connected to the communications hub to receive or send distributed quantum entanglement to a remotely located recipient endpoint via the atmospheric or free-space channel.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system comprising:

a photon source configured to distribute photons in superposition states through a free-space or atmospheric communication channel;
an optical ground station configured to receive one or more of the photons from the photon source;
a communications hub, proximate to the optical ground station, configured to connect to a plurality of fiber optic links;
one or more quantum memory devices proximate to the optical ground station configured to send heralding signals upon reception of one or more of the photons;
and
one or more computing devices configured to:
receive heralding signals from the one or more quantum memory devices indicating that two photons have been received at the one or more quantum memory devices via the photon source and via a given one of the plurality of fiber optic links connected to the communications hub, respectively;
and
extend quantum entanglement from the free-space or atmospheric communication channel to the given one of the plurality of fiber optic links.

6 more elements

One or more non-transitory, computer-readable, storage media storing program instructions, that when executed on or across one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:

receive a request for distribution of quantum entanglement;
and
cause quantum entanglement to be distributed across an optical ground station and a communications hub, wherein to perform the distribution, the program instructions, when executed on or across the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
be configured to receive heralding signals from one or more quantum memory devices indicating that two photons have been received at the one or more quantum memory devices via a free-space or atmospheric channel connected to the optical ground station and via a given one of a plurality of fiber optic links connected to the communications hub, respectively;
and
cause, in response to receiving the heralding signals, quantum entanglement to be extended from the free-space or atmospheric communication channel to the given one of the plurality of fiber optic links.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Hybrid space-fiber quantum networks for widespread entanglement distribution

Life of this patent

Hybrid space-fiber quantum networks for widespread entanglement distribution

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20