Dr Ross Donaldson - Heriot-Watt University

 Research Fellowships 2018

Dr Ross Donaldson was awarded an Early Career Research Fellowship from the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2018 to explore practical optical ground receiver technology for satellite quantum communications. This shaped his research portfolio to address challenges and barriers met by industrial organisations on their journey to commercialise satellite quantum communications. At Herriot-Watt University, his research portfolio also explores the development of next-generation free-space and satellite quantum communication capabilities.

Ross joined the National Quantum Communications Hub as a co-investigator in 2019. He leads the Hub’s Optical Ground Station (HOGS) design, development, and operation of the In-orbit Space Platform for Optical Quantum Communications’ (SPOQC) demonstrator mission, which is due to be launched in 2025. Beyond the Hub, he is involved in other satellite quantum communication missions, such as QEYSSAT, a Canadian mission launching in 2025/26. He has strong links to industry through six fully funded Innovate-UK Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund projects and two cofounded EngD and PhD studentships, enabling knowledge transfer.

His general research interests include:

• Quantum optical receivers for satellite quantum communications – development of practical quantum optical receivers and optical interfaces between the receiver optics and detectors.
• Practical implementation (1st gen service) – demonstration of practical implementations of technology in-situ alongside industrial collaborators.
• High-bandwidth (next-gen service) – developing and demonstrating methodologies that enable 1–10 GHz clock frequencies.
• Photonic devices for quantum communications – design, fabrication, and implementation of photonic components that improve the performance or robustness of a free-space quantum communications connection.
• Addressing implementation practical challenges – improving the robustness and resilience of free-space and satellite quantum communications by exploring new wavelengths, new technologies, and new techniques.

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