The AlbaSat team of the University of Padova, selected by the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop a CubeSat with 3 payloads (within the Fly-Your-Satellite initiative), is searching for 2 master’s thesis students for the design activities of the Quantum Payload.

The final objective of the project is to design, implement and launch in orbit a real satellite.

The Quantum Payload's activities aim at the development of a quantum device for Satellite Quantum Communication and include the integration of a new optical cornercube retroreflector (CCR) modulating system (including its high-voltage driving electronics) along with the development of the optical ground station.

The activities will be carried out with the QuantumFuture research group in collaboration with the sub-systems groups of the AlbaSat team and in collaboration with the Power Electronics research group.
The activities will also be overseen by ESA which will offer support and dedicated training.

The 2 proposed thesis works are:

• TW1: "Optics" thesis:  The student should work on the test and charaterization of the custom modulating-CCR (designed and built by a local company) as well as contribute to its design revision. Tests for space enviroment qualification might also be included. This work will be mainly supervised by the QuantumFuture group.
• TW2: "Space Power-Electronics" thesis. The student should design and implement the electronics board (based on DC-DC high step-up converter) to drive the modulating-CCR according to the voltage and power consumption requirements. The student should also select proper components with space-ready characteristics. Tests for space enviroment qualification might also be included. This work will be mainly supervised by the Power Electronics group.

• Basic knowledge of optical devices (e.g., waveplate, fiber, polarization beamsplitter)
• Basic knowledge of programming languages ​​(e.g., Python, Matlab)

Knowledge on Quantum Mechanics are preferred but not mandatory (they can be learned during the thesis, if required).

Required competences for TW2:

• Basic knowledge of switched power converter fundamentals
  
• Basic knowledge of electronic design software (e.g., MultiSim, Eagle, KiCad)
• Basic knowledge of modeling softwares (e.g., Simscape, PLECS, LTSpice, Ansys, Patran Nastran, Inventor, Solidworks)

The compatible master’s degree programmes are the ones delivered by the Department of Information Engineering and by the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

If you are interested, please get in touch with Andrea Stanco, andrea.stanco@unipd.it

Note: the Quantum Payload includes also other activities not listed here. If these two specific proposals do not fit your interests but you are interested in the topic, feel free to apply anyway and we will discuss other possible thesis works.