Scope Title:Quantum Sensing and MeasurementScope Description:Specifically identified applications of interest include quantum sensing methodologies achieving the optimal collection light for photon-starved astronomical observations, quantum-enhanced ground-penetrating radar, and quantum-enhanced telescope interferometry.Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) systems for enhanced multiplexing factor reading out of arrays of cryogenic energy-resolving single-photon detectors, including the supporting resonator circuits, amplifiers, and room temperature readout electronics.Quantum light sources capable of efficiently and reliably producing prescribed quantum states including entangled photons, squeezed states, photon number states, and broadband correlated light pulses. Such entangled sources are sought for the visible infrared (vis-IR) and in the microwave entangled photons sources for quantum ranging and ground-penetrating radar.On-demand single-photon sources with narrow spectral linewidth are needed for system calibration of single-photon counting detectors and energy-resolving single-photon detector arrays in the midwave infrared (MIR), near infrared (NIR), and visible. Such sources are sought for operation at cryogenic temperatures for calibration on the ground and aboard space instruments. This includes low SWaP quantum radiometry systems capable of calibrating detectors' spectroscopic resolution and efficiency over the MIR, NIR, and/or visible. Quantum Sensing and Measurement includes: Quantum Metrology and Radiometry (absolute radiometry without massive blackbody cryogenic radiometer or synchrotron), Quantum Sources (prepare prescribed quantum states with high fidelity), Quantum Memories (storage and release of quantum states), Quantum Absorbers and Quantum Amplifiers (efficiently absorption and detection of quantum states). Expected TRL or TRL Range at completion of the Project: 2 to 4Primary Technology Taxonomy: Level 1 08 Sensors and InstrumentsLevel 2 08.X Other Sensors and Instruments Desired Deliverables of Phase I and Phase II:ResearchAnalysisPrototypeDesired Deliverables Description:NASA is seeking innovative ideas and creative concepts for science sensor technologies using quantum sensing techniques. The proposals should include results from designs and models, proof-of-concept demonstrations, and prototypes showing the performance of the novel quantum sensor.Phase I does not need to include a physical deliverable to the government but it is best if it includes a demonstration of feasibility through measurements. This can include extensive modeling, but a stronger proposal will have measured validation of models or designs that support the viability of the planned Phase II deliverable.Phase II should include prototype delivery to the government. (It is understood that this is a research effort and the prototype is a best effort delivery where there is no penalty for missing performance goals.) The Phase II effort should be targeting a commercial product that could be sold to the government and/or industry. State of the Art and Critical Gaps:Quantum Entangled Photon Sources:Sources for generation of quantum photon number states. Such sources would utilize high detection efficiency photon energy-resolving single-photon detectors (where the energy resolution is used to detect the photon number) developed at NASA for detection. Sources that fall in the wavelength range from 20 m to 200 nm are of high interest. Photon number state generation anywhere within this spectral range is also highly desired including emerging photon-number quantum state methods providing advantages over existing techniques. (Stobi ska, et al., Sci. Adv. 5 (2019)). Also interested in proposal generating Holland-Burnett states (Phy Rev. Let 71, 1355 (1993)). Quantum dot source produced entangled photons with a fidelity of 0.90, a pair generation rate of 0.59, a pair extraction efficiency of 0.62, and a photon indistinguishability of 0.90, simultaneously (881 nm light) at 10 MHz. (Wang, Phys. Rev. Lett. 122, 113602 (2019)). Further advances are sought. Spectral brightness of 0.41 MHz/mW/nm for multimode and 0.025 MHz/mW/nm for single-mode coupling. (Jabir: Scientific Reports. 7, 12613 (2017)). Higher brightness and multiple entanglement and heralded multiphoton entanglement and boson sampling sources. Sources that produce photon number states or Fock states are also sought for various applications including energy-resolving single-photon detector applications. For energy-resolving single-photon detectors, current state-of-the-art multiplexing can achieve kilopixel detector arrays, which with advances in microwave SQUID, multiplexing can be increased to megapixel arrays. (Morgan, Physics Today. 71, 8, 28 (2018)). Energy-resolving detectors achieving 99% detection efficiency have been demonstrated in the NIR. Even higher quantum efficiency absorber structures are sought (either over narrow bands or broadband) compatible with transition-edge sensor (TES) detectors. Such ultra-high- (near-unity-) efficiency absorbing structures are sought in the ultraviolet, vis-IR, NIR, mid-infrared, far infrared, and microwave. Quantum memories with long coherence times >30 ms to several hours and efficiency coupling. Want to show a realistic development path capable of highly efficient coupling to photon number resolving detectors. Absolute detection efficiency measurements (without reference to calibration standards) using quantum light sources have achieved detection efficiency relative uncertainties of 0.1% level. Further reduction in detection efficiency uncertainty is sought to characterize ultra-high-efficiency absorber structures. Combining calibration method with the ability to tune over a range of different wavelengths is sought to characterize cryogenic single-photon detector's energy resolution and detection efficiency across the detection band of interest. For such applications, the natural linewidth of the source lines must be much less than the detector resolution (for NIR and higher photon energies, resolving powers R = E/ EFWHM = / FWHM much greater than 100 are required). Quantum sources operating at cryogenic temperatures are most suitable for cryogenic detector characterization and photon number resolving detection for wavelengths of order 1.6 m and longer. For quantum sensing applications that would involve a squeezed light source on an aerospace platform, investigation of low SWaP sources of squeezed light would be beneficial. From the literature, larger footprint sources of squeezed light have demonstrated 15 dB of squeezing (Vahlbruch, et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 117, 11, 110801 (2016)). For a source smaller in footprint, there has been a recent demonstration of parametric downconversion in an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) resulting in 9.3 dB of squeezing (Arnbak, et al., Optics Express. 27, 26, 37877-37885 (2019)). Further improvement of the state-of-the-art light squeezing capability (i.e., >10 dB), while maintaining low SWaP parameters, is desired. Relevance / Science Traceability:Quantum technologies enable a new generation in sensitivities and performance and include low baseline interferometry and ultraprecise sensors with applications ranging from natural resource exploration and biomedical diagnostic to navigation.Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD) Astronaut health monitoring.Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Earth, planetary, and astrophysics including imaging spectrometers on a chip across the electromagnetic spectrum from x-ray through the infrared.Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) Game-changing technology for small spacecraft communication and navigation (optical communication, laser ranging, and gyroscopes).Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Rapid increased interest.Space Technology Roadmap 6.2.2, 13.1.3, 13.3.7, all sensors 6.4.1, 7.1.3, 10.4.1, 13.1.3, 13.4.3, 14.3.3. References: 2019 NASA Fundamental Physics and Quantum Technology Workshop. Washington, DC (April 8-10, 2019).Quantum Communication, Sensing and Measurement in Space. Team Leads: Erkmen, Shapiro, and Schwab (2012):http://kiss.caltech.edu/final_reports/Quantum_final_report.pdf (link is external).National Quantum Initiative Act:https://www.congress.gov/congressional-report/115th-congress/house-report/950/1 (link is external).https://www.congress.gov/congressional-report/115th-congress/senate-report/389 (link is external).https://www.lightourfuture.org/getattachment/7ad9e04f-4d21-4d98-bd28-e1239977e262/NPI-Recommendations-to-HSC-for-National-Quantum-Initiative-062217.pdf (link is external).European Union Quantum Flagship Program: https://qt.eu (link is external).UK National Quantum Technologies Programme: http://uknqt.epsrc.ac.uk (link is external).DLR Institute of Quantum Technologies: https://www.dlr.de/qt/en/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-13498/23503_read-54020/ (link is external).Degen, C. L.; Reinhard, F.; and Cappellaro, P.: Quantum Sensing, Rev. Mod. Phys. 89, 035002 (2017).Polyakov, Sergey V.: Single Photon Detector Calibration in Single-Photon Generation and Detection, Volume 45, 2013 Elsevier Inc. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-387695-9.00008-1.Stobi ska, et al.: Quantum Interference Enables Constant-Time Quantum Information Processing. Sci. Adv. 5 (2019). Scope Title:Quantum CommunicationsScope Description:NASA seeks to develop quantum networks to support the transmission of quantum information for aerospace applications. This distribution of quantum information could potentially be utilized in secure communication, sensor arrays, and quantum computer networks. Quantum communications may provide new ways to improve sensing the entangling of distributed sensor networks to provide extreme sensitivity for applications such as astrophysics, planetary science, and Earth science. Technologies of interest are components to support the communication of quantum information between quantum computers, or sensors, for space applications or supporting linkages between free space and terrestrial fiber-optic quantum networks. Technologies that are needed include quantum memory, entanglement sources, quantum interconects, quantum repeaters, high-efficiency detectors, as well as Integrated Quantum Photonics that integrate multiple components. A key need for all of these are technologies with low SWaP that can be utilized in aerospace applications. Some examples (not all inclusive) of requested innovation include:Photonic waveguide integrated circuits for quantum information processing and manipulation of entangled quantum states; requires phase stability, low propagation loss, that is, <0.1 dB/cm, and efficient fiber coupling, that is, coupling loss <1.5 dB.Waveguide-integrated single-photon detectors for >100 MHz incidence rate, 1-sigma time resolution of <25 ps, dark count rate <100 Hz, and single-photon detection efficiency >50% at highest incidence rate.Quantum memory with high buffering efficiency ( >50%), storage time (>10 ms), and high fidelity (>0.9), including heralding capability as well as scalability.Stable narrow band filters for connecting to quantum memory and atomic interferometers.Narrow band (100 MHz or less for spectral bandwidth per channel) wavelength division multiplexing.High-efficiency and high-speed optical switches.Quantum sensor network components. Expected TRL or TRL Range at completion of the Project: 2 to 4Primary Technology Taxonomy: Level 1 05 Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization SystemsLevel 2 05.5 Revolutionary Communications TechnologiesDesired Deliverables of Phase I and Phase II:ResearchAnalysisPrototypeHardwareDesired Deliverables Description:Phase I research should (highly encouraged) be conducted to demonstrate technical feasibility with preliminary hardware (i.e., beyond architecture approach/theory; a proof-of-concept) being delivered for NASA testing, as well as show a plan toward Phase II integration.Phase II new technology development efforts shall deliver components at 4 to 6 Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) with mature hardware and preliminary integration and testing in an operational environment. Deliverables are desired that substantiate the quantum communication technology utility for positively impacting the NASA mission. The quantum communication technology should impact one of three key areas: information security, sensor networks, and networks of quantum computers. Deliverables that substantiate technology efficacy include reports of key experimental demonstrations that show significant capabilities, but in general, it is desired that the deliverable include some hardware that shows the demonstrated capability. State of the Art and Critical Gaps:Quantum communications is called for in the 2018 National Quantum Initiative (NQI) Act, which directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Department of Energy (DOE) to pursue research, development, and education activities related to Quantum Information Science. Applications in quantum communications, networking, and sensing, all proposed in this subtopic, are the contributions being pursued by NASA to integrate the advancements being made through the NQI. Relevance / Science Traceability:This technology would benefit NASA communications infrastructure as well as enable new capabilities that support its core missions. For instance, advances in quantum communications would provide capabilities for added information security for spacecraft assets as well as provide a capability for linking quantum computers on the ground and in orbit. In terms of quantum sensing arrays, there are a number of sensing applications that could be supported through the use of quantum sensing arrays for dramatically improved sensitivity. References:Evan Katz, Benjamin Child, Ian Nemitz, Brian Vyhnalek, Tony Roberts, Andrew Hohne, Bertram Floyd, Jonathan Dietz, and John Lekki: Studies on a Time-Energy Entangled Photon Pair Source and Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors for Increased Quantum System Efficiency, SPIE Photonics West, San Francisco, CA (Feb. 6, 2019). M. Kitagawa and M. Ueda: Squeezed Spin States," Phys. Rev. A 47, 5138 5143 (1993).Daniel Gottesman, Thomas Jennewein, and Sarah Croke: Longer-Baseline Telescopes Using Quantum Repeaters, Phys. Rev. Lett., 109 (Aug. 16, 2012).Nicolas Gisin and Rob Thew: Quantum Communication, Nature Photonics, 1, 165 171 (2007).H. J. Kimble: The Quantum Internet, Nature, 453, 1023 1030 (June 19, 2008).C. L. Degen, F. Reinhard, and P. Cappellaro: Quantum Sensing, Rev. Mod. Phys., 89 (July 25, 2017).Ian, Nemitz, Jonathan Dietz, Evan Katz, Brian Vyhnalek, and Benjamin Child: Bell Inequality Experiment for a High Brightness Time-Energy Entangled Source, SPIE Photonics West, San Francisco, CA (March 1, 2019).
