Sandia Labs FY21 LDRD Annual Report

FY21 ANNUAL REPORT

Quantum-secure optical fence for physical security. A proof-of-concept quantum sensor for perimeter monitoring of critical facilities was developed to enhance detection of sophisticated spoofing attacks. Standard intrusion systems often encode streams of light pulses to monitor and prevent security breaches around facilities, but in principle, advanced attacks can be used to create holes in these security systems. To address this gap, researchers investigated a quantum intrusion sensor using coherent states as quantum probes and leveraging the Uncertainty Principle and No Cloning Theorem. Shot-noise-limited detection of encoded quantum probes

and hypothesis test analysis enabled researchers to establish statistical quantum correlations for high sensitivity detection, a novel capability that could bolster physical protection systems for high-consequence assets. (PI: Junji Urayama)

(Top) Schematic of quantum transceiver and optical fiber configured for perimeter monitoring. (Bottom) Coherent state measurements used as quantum probes and their statistical correlations.

Sensing what cannot be seen through advanced neutron imaging technology. A global first, this novel metrology can determine the charge/voltage state of shielded electronics— something not achievable by any existing detection technologies. By using electrically neutral, but highly penetrative neutrons to interact with the associated electric fields (E-fields) produced by the charged/ energized electronics inside a conductive enclosure , the researchers obtained E-field imaging signals to absolutely determine the voltage/charge state. The highly penetrative neutron beam used by this new technology can directly “visualize” static or dynamic electro-magnetic fields, especially the electrostatic field produced by electronics. This successful

development will greatly benefit to the applications of weapon security, national security, and global security. (PI: Yuan-Yu Jau) (Left) A normal neutron transmission image of an electric-field sample. (Right) Image of electric field in the dielectric layer of the sample with “Jet” color scheme. Inside the sample, the voltage across the electrodes is -35 kV, which leads to a negative signal in the blue-color region.

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LABORATORY DIRECTED RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT