Overview of the Waterloo Ground Station for QEYSSat Build
Kimia Mohammadi
The Quantum EncrYption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat) is Canada’s first space-based quantum communication mission and is scheduled for launch within the next year. The mission is funded by the Canadian Space Agency in collaboration with academic institutions, including the University of Waterloo (IQC), as well as industry partners across Canada. Its primary objective is to demonstrate quantum key distribution (QKD) between ground and space, paving the way toward future satellite-enabled quantum networks.
At IQC, the Quantum Photonics lab is contributing to this mission by developing polarization-encoded photon sources, while also building an optical ground station (OGS) to establish quantum links with the satellite. This OGS will serve as the mission’s secondary quantum ground station, following the primary ground station located at the Canadian Space Agency facility in St-Hubert, QC.
In this talk, I will discuss the challenges associated with transmitting photons through a turbulent atmospheric channel and the key considerations involved in the design of a quantum optical ground station. In particular, I will present the development of a custom-designed telescope optimized for the mission wavelengths, the optical tracking systems required to establish and maintain precise alignment with the satellite, and the optical and system-level requirements for the successful implementation of polarization-based QKD.
Location
QNC 1201
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