Francesco Vedovato
Francesco Vedovato got his Master degree in Physics in 2015 and a Ph.D. degree in Space Science and Technology at the University of Padova (UNIPD) in 2019 (Supervisor: Prof. Paolo Villoresi). During his PhD in experimental quantum optics, he focused on the realization of quantum optics experiments in Space collaborating with the Matera Laser Ranging Observatory of the Italian Space Agency. He has worked since 2015 in the QuantumFuture Group of the Department of Information Engineering at UNIPD. His research is focused on quantum optics, quantum communication in fiber, free-space and satellite channels. He has various peer-review publications in international journals in the area of experimental quantum optics and quantum key distribution.
Relevant research achievements include the first demonstration of the feasibility of time-bin encoding along satellite-to-ground channels [Phys. Rev. Lett. 115, 253601 (2016)]; the realization of Wheeler’s delayed-choice experiment along 3500 km via satellite channels [Sci. Adv. 3, e1701180 (2017)], the design and first implementation of an experimental scheme for realizing genuine time-bin entanglement [Phys. Rev. Lett. 121, 190401 (2018)], the demonstration of the feasibility of satellite quantum communication over distances up to GNSS orbits [Quantum Sci. Technol. 4, 015012 (2019)], the realization of a prototype for daylight quantum key distribution at 1550 nm exploiting integrated photonics [npj Quantum Inf. 7, 93 (2021)], the realization of a record-low QBER source for quantum key distribution at 1550 nm [Optica 7, 284-290 (2020)], the introduction of a convenient formalism to evaluate the phase of a light signal propagating on a general curved background [Phys. Rev. D 101, 104052 (2020)]. He was funded by the COST Action "Quantum technologies in Space" to spend a period abroad at the Centre de Physique Theorique de Luminy under the scientific supervision of prof. Carlo Rovelli. His project “GaliQEye: Galileo’s Quantum Eye at DEI” was granted by the Department of Information Engineering to develop the optical ground station placed on the roof of DEI department. He is participating in different national and international projects (I-QKD, QSEC, QUANGO, QUDICE, Moonlight-2, QSNP, QUANCOMM) on quantum communication. He is one of the founder of the Padua's OSA/SPIE Student Chapter "Pulse". He is co-founder of and developer for the UNIPD startup company ThinkQuantum srl, aimed at developing QKD systems for secure communication, with particular focus on free-space optical technologies, adaptive-optics and ground station implementation.
He is currently teaching the course "Quantum Methods for ICT" for the master degrees at DEI and the course "Quantum Communication: methods and implementations" for the PhD course in Information Engineering.
Publications
Miscellaneous
GHz-rate polarization-based QKD system for fiber and satellite applications Miscellaneous
2026.
Quantum satellites and tests of relativity Miscellaneous
2019.
Journal Articles
Intermodal Quantum Key Distribution Field Trial with Active Switching between Fiber and Free-Space Channels Journal Article
In: EPJ Quantum Technol., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 6, 2025, ISSN: 2662-4400, 2196-0763.
Quantum-Secured Time Transfer between Precise Timing Facilities: A Field Trial with Simulated Satellite Links Journal Article
In: GPS Solut, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 48, 2024, ISSN: 1080-5370, 1521-1886.
Proposal for an Optical Interferometric Measurement of the Gravitational Redshift with Satellite Systems Journal Article
In: Phys. Rev. D, vol. 108, no. 8, pp. 084063, 2023, ISSN: 2470-0010, 2470-0029.
Optimal Design and Performance Evaluation of Free-Space Quantum Key Distribution Systems Journal Article
In: Quantum Sci. Technol., vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 045029, 2022, ISSN: 2058-9565.
Deployment-Ready Quantum Key Distribution Over a Classical Network Infrastructure in Padua Journal Article
In: J. Lightwave Technol., vol. 40, no. 6, pp. 1658–1663, 2022, ISSN: 0733-8724, 1558-2213.
Full Daylight Quantum-Key-Distribution at 1550 Nm Enabled by Integrated Silicon Photonics Journal Article
In: npj Quantum Inf, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 93, 2021, ISSN: 2056-6387.
Resource-Effective Quantum Key Distribution: A Field Trial in Padua City Center Journal Article
In: Opt. Lett., vol. 46, no. 12, pp. 2848, 2021, ISSN: 0146-9592, 1539-4794.
Large-Scale Optical Interferometry in General Spacetimes Journal Article
In: Phys. Rev. D, vol. 101, no. 10, pp. 104052, 2020, ISSN: 2470-0010, 2470-0029.
Simple Quantum Key Distribution with Qubit-Based Synchronization and a Self-Compensating Polarization Encoder Journal Article
In: Optica, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 284, 2020, ISSN: 2334-2536.
Sub-Ns Timing Accuracy for Satellite Quantum Communications Journal Article
In: J. Opt. Soc. Am. B, vol. 36, no. 3, pp. B59, 2019, ISSN: 0740-3224, 1520-8540.
Towards Quantum Communication from Global Navigation Satellite System Journal Article
In: Quantum Sci. Technol., vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 015012, 2018, ISSN: 2058-9565.
Postselection-Loophole-Free Bell Violation with Genuine Time-Bin Entanglement Journal Article
In: Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 121, no. 19, pp. 190401, 2018, ISSN: 0031-9007, 1079-7114.
Exploring the Boundaries of Quantum Mechanics: Advances in Satellite Quantum Communications Journal Article
In: Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A., vol. 376, no. 2123, pp. 20170461, 2018, ISSN: 1364-503X, 1471-2962.
Extending Wheeler's Delayed-Choice Experiment to Space Journal Article
In: Sci. Adv., vol. 3, no. 10, pp. e1701180, 2017, ISSN: 2375-2548.
Interference at the Single Photon Level Along Satellite-Ground Channels Journal Article
In: Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 116, no. 25, pp. 253601, 2016, ISSN: 0031-9007, 1079-7114.
Proceedings Articles
Satellite Quantum Communication towards GEO Distances Proceedings Article
In: Stuhler, Jürgen; Shields, Andrew J. (Ed.): SPIE Photonics Europe, pp. 99000J, Brussels, Belgium, 2016.