Another ESA project successfully completed

7 January 2025

Space exploration continues to be one of key R&D areas at QOPT. We are proud to announce the successful completion of the project Noise Rejection in Optical Communication Systems Using Quantum Pulse Gating, carried out for the European Space Agency (ESA) by QOPT in collaboration with the research team at Paderborn University led by Professor Christine Silberhorn.

The study analyzed the performance of the Quantum Pulse Gate (QPG) technique for improving signal-to-noise ratio in free-space optical communications. The results prove highly promising for enhancing the performance of satellite-to-ground optical links, in both classical and quantum communication scenarios. Our findings indicate that the QPG technique has a capability to increase substantially data rates attainable for downlink transmission from space missions in daylight conditions and significantly extend the operational range of quantum key distribution links. The completed study encourages further development of the QPG technology for space communications.

Learn more: https://nebula.esa.int/4000142484