Scientists are getting closer to making ultra-secure, ultra-fast quantum internet: they have now been able to teleport fully-accurate quantum information over a total distance of 44 kilometers (27 miles).
Both data loyalty and speed of transfer are crucial when it comes to building a true quantum internet, and progress in one of these areas is a cause for celebration for those building our next generation communications network. .
In this case the team achieved a fidelity level greater than 90 percent (data accuracy) with their quantum information, as well as deploying it over wide fiber optic networks similar to those that are the backbone of the our internet.
“We’re thrilled with those results,” says physicist Panagiotis Spentzouris, from the Fermilab physics and acceleration lab based at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
“This is a key achievement on the path to building technology that redefines how we conduct global communications.”
Quantum internet technology uses qubits; unmixed particles that are still hanging in a variety of possible states such as spinning dice still to be sorted.
Identities are made up of Qubits that are integrated into each other in ways that are apparent when the last measurement is performed. Think of these connected qubits as a pair of dice – although each can land on any number, they are both sure to add to seven no matter how far apart they are. Data in one location instantly displays data in another location.
By wisely arranging to engage in three angles, it is possible to force one state to accept another ‘roll of dice’ through their partner who is engaged in two sides. In quantum terrain, this is as good as turning one grain into another, teleporting its identity over distance in a flash.
However, the entrance still needs to be established in the beginning, and then maintained as the qubits are sent to their final destination via optical wood (or satellites).
The unstable, delicate nature of quantum information makes it difficult to transport photons that engage over long distances without any intervention. Longer optical fiber just means more opportunity for sound to block the states involved.
In total, the fiber lengths used for each cube of its channel add up to 44 kilometers, setting a new limit on how long we can insert qubits and still use them. successfully to teleport quantum information.
It has never been proven to work so far away with such certainty, and it brings a city quantum network closer to reality – even though there are still years of work to be done to achieve that. enable.
“With this demonstration we are starting to lay the foundation for building the Chicago metropolitan quantum network,” Spentzouris said.
Quantum engagement and data teleportation is a complex science, and even the experts do not fully understand how it could eventually be used in a quantum network. Every proof of a concept like this that we get puts us a little closer to making such a network happen though.
As well as promising a huge increase in computing speed and power, quantum internet would be highly secure – any hacking attempt would be as good as destroying the lock being built. For now at least, scientists believe that quantum internet networks will be a unique extension of the classical internet, rather than a complete replacement.
Researchers deal with quantum internet problems from all different angles, which is why you see different distances reported in studies – not all measure the same technology, using the same equipment, to ensure the same standards.
What makes this study special is the accuracy and speed of the quantum entanglement teleportation, as well as the ‘off-the-shelf’ equipment used – it should theoretically be relatively easy to use. scale this using the hardware we already have.
“We are extremely proud to have achieved this milestone on stable, high-performance and scalable quantum teleportation systems,” says physicist Maria Spiropulu, of Caltech.
“Outcomes will be further enhanced by systems upgrades that we expect to complete by the second quarter of 2021.”
The research was published in Quantum PRX.