LaiQa comes as a technology intensive research and innovation action aiming to develop and advance critical components and technologies necessary to build a global spaced-based quantum network. LaiQa envisions to realize unconditionally secure quantum communications over long distances bringing functional QKD components together with advanced system integration techniques towards deployable space-QKD systems. The project's objectives will include the development of space-deployable, high-brightness 1550 nm entangled photon pair source (EPPS), a space-suitable Decoy State - BB84 Prepare and Measure (P&M) source, a photonic integrated EPPS for next-generation on-board sender stations, a quantum memory for long-distance entanglement distribution, an advanced fiber-coupling/adaptive optics system for converged space/terrestrial QKD segments, and software components towards the optimization of LaiQa architecture. The project will demonstrate P&M- and entanglement based QKD systems both in lab/terrestrial FSO testbeds and in field demonstrations in Helmos optical ground station (OGS). LaiQa will also mobilize its consortium to prioritize standardization activities that focus on space components for P&M- and entanglement-QKD, consider interfaces and parameters for them to propose specification standards and potentially trigger new standardization activities within EU.

Quantum communication is a transformative technology that can address our society’s need for secure communication and form the backbone for networks of quantum computers. Despite recent successes in the deployment of secure quantum cryptographic keys, the unavailability of telecom-wavelength repeaters operating at the quantum level presents a major bottleneck towards a global-scale quantum communication network. QuanTELCO will overcome this bottleneck by employing a radically transformative approach based on telecom-wavelength spin centres in silicon carbide, recently discovered by our consortium. These centres uniquely possess strong optical transitions in the telecom O-band (1260-1360 nm), in a material widely used by the micro-electronics industry. QuanTELCO will exploit a mature material platform (silicon carbide), fully compatible with standard industrial micro-electronic fabrication processes. The quantum emitters employed in QuanTELCO have optical cross sections that are orders of magnitude greater than many currently leading candidates. Their emission wavelength allows direct, low-loss propagation in existing telecom networks without the detrimental losses caused by wavelength conversion. These emitters host electronic and nuclear spins which can act as memories in quantum repeater nodes. QuanTELCO will leverage these properties to demonstrate all key elements of quantum networking. We will furthermore perform preparatory tests on existing, international telecom structure and will benchmark the spin-photon entanglement across urban-scale fibre links. QuanTELCO will distil the project results to deliver a roadmap for commercial deployment based on real-world, actionable insight. This platform will provide the breakthrough required for the creation of robust, transcontinental quantum information links, compatible with existing infrastructure, thereby ushering in the era of physically secure encryption and networked quantum computation across Europe.

The goal of QuTechSpace is to push the development of key components for space quantum communication and to facilitate standardization of the technology. To this end, we will advance three core technology components: entangled photon source (EPS), prepare and measure (P&M) source, and the post-processing software for the QKD protocol. In particular, we will increase the performance parameters such as sending rates, reduce the size, weight, and power consumption (SWaP), and perform space qualification of hardware. The technology development will be accompanied by facilitating the standardization process of space quantum communication technologies and systems through active involvement in standardization bodies. By including European entities ranging from academics over new space companies and quantum technology developers to large system integrators, the joint European ecosystem will be included in the process and together we will work towards the joint goal of reaching European sovereignty in space quantum technologies. QuTechSpace will also take into account developments in the field of space quantum communication. The technology development will be completed through testing in relevant environment, reaching TRL 6. Furthermore, the different technology components will be tested together in an end-to-end implementation of the quantum chain in the laboratory, providing crucial insights into the heart of space-based quantum-communication systems. Finally, it is important to highlight that the developed components can be used for quantum key distribution as well as for realization of the quantum internet. QuTechSpace will conclude by giving an outlook and recommendations for future developments and implementations of quantum-communication systems.