Montreal Space Symposium

Quantum technologies promise to disrupt multiple fields of technologies, including high performance or intractable problems with quantum computing, unbreakable communication channels with quantum cryptography and sensors with unmatched sensitivity. For example, quantum gravimeters also hold the promise to detect the tiniest change in Earth gravitational field, such as the ones created by buried metallic pipes. Already, a few quantum satellites missions have been launched, including the teleportation of quantum states across 1200 km by Chinese mission Micius. In Canada, mission QEYSSat from Institute for Quantum Computing at Waterloo aims to distribute quantum keys between two distant networks, establishing a secure link protected by quantum states. By its CASPA mission, Teledyne e2v will also perform the first demonstration of a quantum gravity sensor based on cold atoms to monitor changes in polar ice mass and ocean currents.

The QMSat mission will launch in 2021 a promising room temperature quantum sensor based on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in diamond. An advantage of the sensor is its absolute vector magnetic field and the possibility to use novel quantum algorithms to enhance sensitivity, while eliminating limitations of traditional atomic vapor magnetometers (AVMs). However, NV centers laboratory scale proofs must reach a higher level of integration to enable on-the field demonstrations. Through its quantum engineering program, the Institut quantique Qmag project is developing a compact NV magnetometer including laser/microwave sources, compact photodetection and FPGA data processing.

In this talk, I will review the basics of NV center diamond based magnetometry and the quantum engineering challenges related to prototyping the technology for deployment in a 2U cubesat .

The study of magnetic phenomena is the foundation of a wide range of applications : geophysical surveys, ionosphere magnetic phenomena, Earth’s dynamo effect, surveillance and search and rescue operations. For example, through Earth magnetic field anomaly detection, submarines or planes can be detected underwater at a distance of a few kilometres. This type of studies is typically conducted with AVMs which possess a sensitivity of 1 pT/√Hz. However, target classification and sensor guiding require three AVM devices to measure the vector magnetic field. Further, their size, power consumption and temperature compensation restrict their uses in harsh environments and their integration into cubesat platforms. The vector magnetic field capability offered in a space compatible environment would allow the deployment of cubesat constellations, enabling the geolocalization of magnetic phenomena such as lightnings and solarstorms, which can affect the reliability of GPS and power distribution networks.