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Inter-satellite Quantum Key Distribution at Terahertz Frequencies

Quantum Physics 2019-09-09 v1 Cryptography and Security Information Theory math.IT

Abstract

Terahertz (THz) communication is a topic of much research in the context of high-capacity next-generation wireless networks. Quantum communication is also a topic of intensive research, most recently in the context of space-based deployments. In this work we explore the use of THz frequencies as a means to achieve quantum communication within a constellation of micro-satellites in Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO). Quantum communication between the micro-satellite constellation and high-altitude terrestrial stations is also investigated. Our work demonstrates that THz quantum entanglement distribution and THz quantum key distribution are viable deployment options in the micro-satellite context. We discuss how such deployment opens up the possibility for simpler integration of global quantum and wireless networks. The possibility of using THz frequencies for quantum-radar applications in the context of LEO deployments is briefly discussed.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1902.07921,
  title  = {Inter-satellite Quantum Key Distribution at Terahertz Frequencies},
  author = {Ziqing Wang and Robert Malaney and Jonathan Green},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1902.07921},
  year   = {2019}
}

Comments

7 pages, 6 figures

R2 v1 2026-06-23T07:46:51.923Z