Quantum Information Systems for Networking and Sensing
NASA is developing quantum technologies for light-based communication and remote sensing, focusing on free-space transmission through space or Earth’s atmosphere.
Overview
The Quantum Information Science (QIS) team at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, researches and develops quantum technologies to generate, manipulate, transmit, and detect light for communication and remote sensing applications. The team focuses on free-space transmission, through space or Earth’s atmosphere, as the medium for long-distance quantum networking and entanglement distribution.
At the core of Glenn’s quantum work are quantum communications technology development, metrology, and testbeds that connect quantum processors, sensors, and advanced communication systems. The goal is to mature quantum technologies so hardware is ready for use in robust aerospace environments. Through experimentation, the team gathers physical device parameters, which are combined with network models to evaluate how matured technologies perform in targeted architectures. NASA Glenn also works to reduce the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of quantum devices while maintaining performance.
Contact
| Area of Expertise | Researcher | |
|---|---|---|
| Quantum Metrology, Nonlinear Optics | John Lekki | john.d.lekki@nasa.gov |
| Quantum Metrology, Nonlinear Optics | Evan Katz | evan.j.katz@nasa.gov |
| Quantum Metrology, Nonlinear Optics, Cold Atom Systems | Adam Fallon | adam.fallon@nasa.gov |
| Quantum Theory, Link Budgets/Models | Yousef Chahine | yousef.k.chahine@nasa.gov |
| Single Photon Detectors, Nonlinear Optics, Magnetometers | Brian Vyhnalek | brian.e.vyhnalek@nasa.gov |
| Single Photon Detectors, Nonlinear Optics | Nathaniel Wilson | nathaniel.c.wilson@nasa.gov |
Video
Why Quantum? Why Now? NASA Celebrates World Quantum Day
NASA’s First-Ever Quantum Memory Made at Glenn Research Center
NASA Glenn facilities where this research is conducted:
Aerospace Communications Facility
Brings together over 80 researchers to one cutting-edge building, with 25 research laboratories, a large RF-shielded high bay space, and both rooftop and ground-based antennae fields.
Gallery
NASA postdoctoral researcher Adam Fallon aligning optics for a setup that converts laser light from one wavelength to another. Wavelength conversion techniques allow researchers to use a single laser for multiple laboratory applications.
NASA Quantum Information Scientist Evan Katz aligning optics for a Hong Ou Mandel measurement. The setup provides a measurement of two-photon interference from a single quantum source. Photon interference is a key process for multiple quantum communication applications.
Hong Ou Mandel optical setup. The setup provides a measurement of two-photon interference from a single quantum source. Photon interference is a key process for multiple quantum communication applications.
The foreground of this image shows an optical setup for converting laser light from one wavelength to another. Wavelength conversion techniques allow researchers to use a single laser for multiple applications. In the background, the optical setup for a Hong Ou Mandel measurement is shown. The setup provides a measurement of two-photon interference from two separate quantum sources. Photon interference is a key process for multiple quantum communication applications.
Franson interferometer optical setup. This technique is used to verify whether a time-energy entangled source is truly producing pairs of entangled photons.
NASA Quantum Information Scientist Ian Nemitz aligning optics within a Franson Interferometer. This technique is used to verify whether a time-energy entangled source is truly producing pairs of entangled photons.
NASA Quantum Information Scientist Brian Vyhnalek places integrated photonic chips beneath a microscope objective for analysis of quantum-metrology-applicable devices.
NASA Quantum Information Scientist Brian Vyhnalek analyzes quantum-metrology-applicable devices that were built on an integrated photonics platform.
Integrated photonic chips beneath a microscope objective, for analysis of quantum-metrology-applicable devices.
Integrated photonic chips beneath a microscope objective, for analysis of quantum-metrology-applicable devices.
NASA Quantum Information Scientist Daniel Hart aligning optics for a setup that converts laser light from one wavelength to another. Wavelength conversion techniques allow researchers to use a single laser for multiple laboratory applications.
The optical setup for a Hong Ou Mandel measurement is shown. The setup provides a measurement of two-photon interference from two separate quantum sources. Photon interference is a key process for multiple quantum communication applications.
Between two optical objectives sits an integrated photonics chip that contains waveguide entanglement sources. Red laser light is used to highlight the chip.
NASA Glenn Research Center quantum information scientists within NASA’s Quantum Metrology Laboratory, in support of the Space Communications and Navigation program. Back left to right: Brian Vyhnalek, Evan Katz, Adam Fallon, Ian Nemitz. Front left to right: Daniel Hart, Yousef Chahine.
NASA Glenn Research Center quantum information scientists within NASA’s Quantum Metrology Laboratory, in support of the Space Communications and Navigation program. The scientists are wearing laser safety goggles. Back left to right: Brian Vyhnalek, Evan Katz, Adam Fallon, Ian Nemitz. Front left to right: Daniel Hart, Yousef Chahine.
Key Publications
| Publication Title | Author(s) | Source | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Few-Mode Fiber Coupled Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors for Photon Efficient Optical Communications | Vyhnalek, Brian E. and Tedder, Sarah A. and Katz, Evan J. and Nappier, Jennifer M. | SPIE Photonics West; February 02, 2019 – February 07, 2019; San Francisco, CA; United States | Conference Paper | 2019 |
| Bell Inequality Experiment for a High Brightness Time-Energy Entangled Source | Nemitz, Ian R. and Dietz, Jonathan and Katz, Evan J. and Vyhnalek, Brian and Child, Benjamin and Floyd, Bertram M. and Lekki, John D. | SPIE Photonics West; February 05, 2019 – February 07, 2019; San Francisco, CA; United States. | Conference Paper | 2019 |
| Bell Inequality Experiment for a High Brightness Time-Energy Entangled Source | Nemitz, Ian R. and Dietz, Jonathan and Katz, Evan J. and Vyhnalek, Brian E. and Child, Benjamin and Floyd, Bertram and Lekki, John D. | SPIE Photonics West; February 02, 2019 – February 07, 2019; San Francisco, CA; United States | Poster | 2019 |
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