Towards satellite tests combining general relativity and quantum mechanics through quantum optical interferometry: progress on the deep space quantum link

Makan Mohageg, Charis Anastopoulos, Olivia Brasher, Jason Gallicchio*, Bei Lok Hu, Thomas Jennewein, Spencer Johson, Shih-Yuin Lin, Alexander Ling, Alexander Lohrmann, Christoph Marquardt, Luca Mazzarella, Matthias Meister, Raymond Newell, Albert Roura, Giuseppe Vallone, Paolo Villoresi, Lisa Worner, and Paul Kwiat

Towards satellite tests combining general relativity and quantum mechanics through quantum optical interferometry: progress on the deep space quantum link

EPJ Quantum Technology 12, 78 (2025)

Abstract

The Deep Space Quantum Link (DSQL) is a space-mission concept that aims to explore the interplay between general relativity and quantum mechanics using quantum optical interferometry. This mission concept was formally presented to the United States National Academy of Science Decadal Survey as a research campaign for Fundamental Physics in 2022. Since then, advances have been made in the space-based quantum optical technologies required to conduct a DSQL-type mission. In addition, other research efforts have defined alternative measurement concepts to explore the same scientific questions motivating the DSQL mission. This paper serves as an update to the community on the status of the DSQL mission concept and related research and technology development efforts.