QEYSSAT User Investigation Team (QUINT) - NSERC Alliance Quantum Consortium

QEYSSat logo © Canadian Space Agency, 2021

The Qeyssat User INvestigation Team (QUINT) consortium is specifically addressing the needs for research around Canadian quantum communication satellite missions, such as the Quantum EncrYption and Science Satellite (QEYSSat). The research will develop and test solutions for a Canadian quantum internet over large distances, envisioned to support the following use cases:  

1. Enable quantum secured communications and help ensure long-term data security, as advances in quantum computing make current public-key encryption vulnerable.  
2. Connect quantum computers with users and with each other, which will enable new computing applications, and expand computing capacity exponentially.  
3. Enhance metrology using quantum networks, such as global time standards or large-baseline telescopes.  

While quantum information can be sent over a few hundred kilometers using direct optical fibre links, larger distances require other approaches because transmission decreases exponentially, and conventional amplification does not work for quantum information. As ground-based quantum repeater networks are developed, satellite to ground quantum links are critical components to achieve a Canada-wide quantum network.  

The main outcomes of the proposed research are twofold:

• One is to conduct detailed research related to QEYSSat, during the project years 1 - 3, such as studies on uplink and downlink quantum links involving several ground stations, demonstrating interfaces of satellite links with ground-based networks, and the theoretical analysis of link performance and security.
• The second, longer-term, research outcome over the entire project years 1 - 5 is aimed towards future implementations of quantum communication networks with satellites. This includes the design and demonstration of building blocks and concepts of a future Canada-wide quantum internet with global potential. 

The ultimate goal of achieving large-scale global networks capable of transferring quantum-encoded data will bring significant benefits for future information networks in Canada and globally. These networks will include both ground infrastructure, such as optical fibre, quantum devices and quantum ground stations, and space assets like quantum communication payloads.