To overcome data rate limitations of RF communication links with satellites, TNO and DLR envision optical free-space communication feeder links for next generation high throughput satellites. This paper provides a feasibility assessment of such links and the technology needed. The main results of the link budget and the turbulence modeling of terabit/s optical links are presented. Based on these parameters, requirements and status of the link-subsystems are discussed, and a roadmap is presented, aimed at achieving terabit per second optical feeder links.
Due to the distance limitation of quantum communication via ground-based fibre networks, space-based quantum key distribution (QKD) is a viable solution to extend such networks over continental and, ultimately, over global distances. Compared to Low Earth Orbits (LEO), QKD from a Geostationary Orbit (GEO) offers substantial advantages, such as large coverage, continuous link to ground stations (cloud cover limited), 24/7 operation (background limited), and no tracking required. As a downside, QKD from GEO comes with large link losses due to the space-ground distance, lowering the achievable key rates. From our feasibility and conceptual design study it is concluded that although link losses are high, QKD from GEO is technically feasible, and a favourable solution if the satellite needs to act as an untrusted node (that is, no security assumptions required for the space segment). However, the optimal solution, generating a higher value-for-money, is to have the possibility to operate it in trusted mode as well, as higher key rates can be obtained. But this will be at the cost of security as key material needs to be (temporarily) stored on board of the satellite. In order to arrive at a minimum required secure bit rate of ~1 bit/s in untrusted mode, two ~0.5m diameter telescopes in the space segment are required with <0.65μrad pointing accuracy each, a >1GHz entangled photon pair generation rate, in combination with ~2.5m diameter telescopes on ground, operating at 810nm wavelength. In trusted mode, with the same optical system but only using one telescope in the space segment, a factor of ~300 to ~10000 more key can be obtained. Details on our assumptions and results and drawings of the high level system design are presented, as well as a description of the required technology improvements and building blocks needed, which is applicable to non-GEO applications as well.
In EUV lithography, the absorption of EUV light causes wavefront distortion that deteriorates the imaging process. An adaptive optics system has been developed ["Adaptive optics to counteract thermal aberrations," Ph.D. thesis (TU Delft, 2013)] to correct for this distortion using an active mirror (AM). This AM is thermally actuated by absorbing an irradiance profile exposed by a projector onto the AM. Due to thermal conductivity and bimorph-like deformation of the AM, the relation between actuation profile and actuated shape is not trivial. Therefore, this Letter describes how actuation profiles are obtained to generate Zernike shapes. These actuation profiles have been obtained by a finite-element-based optimization procedure. Furthermore, these actuation profiles are exposed to the AM, and the resulting deformations are measured. This Letter shows actuated Zernike shapes with purities higher than 0.9 for most actuation profiles. In addition, superimposed actuation profiles resulted in superimposed Zernike shapes, showing linearity needed to apply modal wavefront correction. Therefore, this approach can be used to obtain actuation profiles for this AM concept, which can be used for highly precise wavefront correction.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.