MEMS Adaptive Optics Enhancement of Quantum Entanglement for Secure Message Transmission through the Atmosphere

The proposed effort builds upon the results obtained from the successful Phase I effort to develop a design for a quantum communication demonstration experiment to be conducted at an Air Force facility such as SOR or NOP. Because of the low cost and light weight of MEMS adaptive optics, this technology is considered as the baseline approach to create the quantum communication channel for propagation through the atmosphere. As part of the proposed effort the University of Rochester will be under subcontract to investigate the utility of quantum entanglement in this endeavor. In addition the proposed work will be conducted in close relationship with researchers at AFRL who have developed mutually unbiased bases that are required in the use of photons with orbital angular momentum. It is anticipated that the technologies developed by these three groups will provide for a breakthrough beyond the state-of-the-art in the area of secure optical communication through the atmosphere.