# Quantum-limited measurements of optical signals from a geostationary satellite

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/1608.03511 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/1608.03511/

## Key facts

- Cited by 1 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- First posted on arXiv 11 Aug 2016.

## Built on by (most cited first, 1 of 1)

- [Automating Experimental Optics with Sample Efficient Machine Learning Methods](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2503.14260/) (2025)

## Abstract (arXiv)

The measurement of quantum signals that traveled through long distances is of fundamental and technological interest. We present quantum-limited coherent measurements of optical signals, sent from a satellite in geostationary Earth orbit to an optical ground station. We bound the excess noise that the quantum states could have acquired after having propagated 38600 km through Earth's gravitational potential as well as its turbulent atmosphere. Our results indicate that quantum communication is feasible in principle in such a scenario, highlighting the possibility of a global quantum key distribution network for secure communication.