T512-900GS CO-PHASING OF SEGMENTED MIRROR TELESCOPES FOR FREE-SPACE TO FIBERBASED QUANTUM COMMUNICATION (EXPRO+)

Large optical antennas provide higher gain and sensitivity, ensure high data transmission rates,improve weak-light signal detection and are therefore necessary in photon starving regimesapplications as interplanetary, deep space and quantum communication. Segmenting the mainmirror is a very cost-effective solution when building large telescopes. However, large collectingareas of superior optical quality per se are not sufficient to achieve the alignment performancerequired to transmit entangled photons over long distances without decoherence. Co-phasingdifferent mirror segments with the accuracy required for quantum communication protocolsconstitutes an acknowledged challenge.This activity aims to develop, test, and validate a breadboard co-phasing system for segmentedmirror telescopes for single mode fiber coupling, supporting next-generation quantumcommunication networks, long-distance optical links, and turbulence-free telescope operations. Thesystem shall be suitable for the alignment of large (6 m and above) segmented mirror antenna andshall grant the wavefront distortions, focus, and tip-tilt continuous correction. The system shallactively adjust themirror positions to compensate for thermal, mechanical, gravitational flexure, andother environmental disturbance to enhance beam quality, coupling efficiency, reduce optical losses,maintain interferometric stability and improve single-photon detection efficiency to support satellitebased Quantum Key Distribution (QKD).Procurement Policy: C(1) = Activity restricted to non-prime contractors(incl. SMEs). For additional information please go to:http://www.esa.int/About_Us/Business_with_ESA/Small_and_Medium_Sized_Enterprises/Opportunities_for_SMEs/Procurement_policy_on_fair_access_for_SMEs_-_the_C1-C4_Clauses