Conceptual optical design for CARAMUEL payload: a quantum key distribution system from a GEO satellite

A. Alvarez-Herrero; T. Belenguer; L. Pascual; A. Álvaro; C. Miravet; P. Campo; A. Tomás; L. F. Rodríguez; M. Reyes; E. Sánchez de Gregorio; F. Cuervo; P. Pintó

doi:10.1117/12.2672459

19 July 2023 Conceptual optical design for CARAMUEL payload: a quantum key distribution system from a GEO satellite

A. Alvarez-Herrero, T. Belenguer, L. Pascual, A. Álvaro, C. Miravet, P. Campo, A. Tomás, L. F. Rodríguez, M. Reyes, E. Sánchez de Gregorio, F. Cuervo, P. Pintó

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 12633, Photonics for Quantum 2023; 126330B (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2672459
Event: Photonics for Quantum, 2023, Rochester, New York, United States

Abstract

A feasibility study and the mission definition for a Quantum Key Distribution from a geostationary satellite have been successfully completed by a Spanish consortium led by HISPASAT under ARTES ESA funding. The system will be a hosted payload of a regular communication satellite mission. In this work, the conceptual optical design of the payload is presented. It includes the trade-off between an on-axis telescope with central obscuration and an off-axis unobscured telescope. Besides, the optical design of the transmission (i.e.: quantum signal and downlink beacon) and reception channels (i.e.: uplink beacon) are described and the critical subsystems identified. A polarization control system based on liquid-crystals, which avoids mechanisms, is used to correct the errors due to instrumental residual polarization, reference system rotation or long-term instability of the QKD source during operation.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

A. Alvarez-Herrero, T. Belenguer, L. Pascual, A. Álvaro, C. Miravet, P. Campo, A. Tomás, L. F. Rodríguez, M. Reyes, E. Sánchez de Gregorio, F. Cuervo, and P. Pintó "Conceptual optical design for CARAMUEL payload: a quantum key distribution system from a GEO satellite", Proc. SPIE 12633, Photonics for Quantum 2023, 126330B (19 July 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2672459

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