• Prospective Students
    • The Programme
    • How to Apply
    • Project Vacancies
  • Our Partners
    • Academic Profiles
    • Partner Companies
    • Technical Scope
    • Capital Equipment
    • Propose a Project
  • Current Students
    • Our Students
    • Guidelines and Resources
  • News & Events
    • News
    • Events
    • Publications
Menu
  • Prospective Students
    • The Programme
    • How to Apply
    • Project Vacancies
  • Our Partners
    • Academic Profiles
    • Partner Companies
    • Technical Scope
    • Capital Equipment
    • Propose a Project
  • Current Students
    • Our Students
    • Guidelines and Resources
  • News & Events
    • News
    • Events
    • Publications
Alexandra Lee
Alexandra Lee
This user account status is Approved
2019/2020
Heriot Watt University
Wideblue
Development of a novel single photon quantum key detection (QKD) optical ground station for secure satellite based communications.

Wideblue have an Industrial Strategy Challenge fund Innovate UK 3 year project to develop an optical ground station receiver for quantum communications. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a well understood application of quantum technology and there are several metropolitan fibre networks already established for QKD services. However, key distribution is limited by absorption inside optical fibres which mean that transmissions over distances greater than about 150 km are impractical. Free space communications, though, does not suffer the same degree of attenuation and single photon communication with satellites orbiting the Earth at several hundred kilometres has been demonstrated. Satellites then, provide an ideal vehicle for distributing quantum key information across very large distances between end users spread across countries or continents. However, in order to benefit from the advances in satellite technology, a network of Optical Ground Receivers (OGRs) are required to receive and detect the photons carrying the key information. The UK, as a major player in the development of advanced optical & photonic technologies, is well positioned to address this future market for OGR. This project works with users to specify OGR requirements and prototypes and tests a QKD receiver, whilst designing and making plans for scaled manufacture in the UK.

Back to student profiles

Home ยป Student Profile

UoE

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Applied Photonics

CDT Office: 44 (0)131 451 8229

Twitter

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland. Scottish Registered charity number: SC000278 | Disclaimer

  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
  • Contacts
  • About Us
  • Login
  • Support Staff
Menu
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
  • Contacts
  • About Us
  • Login
  • Support Staff
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.