Facilities

The challenge of secret information distribution has existed for a long time and has come to the present state of art relatively secure, using various technical and mathematical tricks. However possible quantum computer appearance in the nearest future can make now-days communication completely non-secret by mathematical solution of data encryption. Quantum communication systems or otherwise called quantum key distribution systems became a new approach to secure data distribution, offering a way to make data exchange unhackable, based on the fundamental laws of physics. Despite the full theoretical unhackability, due to the peculiarities of practical implementation, quantum communication systems leave loopholes for eavesdropper to steal information. Thus, every practically implemented quantum communication system requires a detailed analysis and certification for its safety. The main direction of research for the Quantum Hacking & Certification lab is testing practical security of quantum communication systems, finding and demonstrating new loopholes, developing and testing countermeasures, and certification. The lab is well equipped to testing quantum communication systems for all types of attacks known to date, on both the transmitting and receiving sides. By openly publishing all lab results, we ensure hardening of quantum communication technology against all possible attacks. We also build the methodology for its certification and contribute to certification standards for quantum communication equipment.

The satellite quantum lab features all of the equipment needed for quantum optical experiments in general and satellite-based quantum communication in particular. We produce quantum states-of-light using diode lasers and photon-pair sources based on bulk PPKTP. The photon pairs produced are entangled in the polarization degree-of-freedom with one photon in the NIR and the other in the Telecom wavelength range. For the detection of quantum states-of-light we employ various single-photon detectors for the NIR and Telecom wavelength ranges. Our NIR avalanche photodiodes feature up to 38 MHz count rates, 60 Hz dark counts, and 25 ns dead time. Our superconducting nanowire single photon detectors offer 85% detection efficiency, 25 ps timing jitter, and 10 ns dead time for photons around 780nm and 1550nm. The detectors are paired with state-of the art time taggers with down to 4 ps timing jitter and 90 MHz maximum detection rate. To further analyze light we employ beam profilers and spectrometers for the NIR and Telecom wavelength ranges. We are in the process of building a single-photon spectrometer. Our main instrument for satellite-based quantum communication is our quantum optical ground station (put here link to OGS website). Additionally, we use two mobile optical ground stations with 37cm telescopes, fast-steering mirrors and position-sensitive detectors. We can move them to suitable locations using a trailer. To test free-space quantum communication protocols on a smaller scale or in the lab, we designed telescopes based on 2-inch optics, that nonetheless feature closed loops with fast-steering mirrors and quadrant detectors. To support our work, we make use of the optics simulation software Optic Studio Zemax and the atmosphere simulation software MODTRAN. Our favorite toy for quick prototyping and quasi-permanent fixes is our 3D printer.