Abstract
We report the design and implementation of a complete electronics platform for
conducting a quantum optics experiment that will be operated on board a 1U CubeSat (a
$10\times 10 \times 10$
cm satellite). The quantum optics experiment is designed to produce
polarization-entangled photon pairs using nonlinear optical crystals and requires
opto-electronic components such as a pump laser, single photon detectors, and liquid
crystal-based polarization rotators in addition to passive optical elements. The
platform provides mechanical support for the optical assembly. It also communicates
autonomously with the host satellite to provide experiment data for transmission to a
ground station. A limited number of commands can be transmitted from ground to the
platform enabling it to switch experimental modes. This platform requires less than 1.5
W for all operations, and is space qualified. The implementation of this electronics
platform is a major step on the road to operating quantum communication experiments
using nanosatellites.
© 2015 OAPA
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