Study finds quantum-inspired tech transports data with light
Scientists have been making discoveries in the quantum computing realm. In another leap, researchers successfully deployed the principles of quantum physics and transported information in light patterns without physically moving the image.
According to a statement by researchers, scientists have demonstrated the quantum transport of the highest dimensionality of information to date. This particularly highlights using a teleportation-inspired configuration so the information does not physically travel between the two communicating parties.
Entangling photons and nonlinear optical detector
Researchers used a special method that involved entangled photons and a nonlinear optical detector.
This approach enabled them to overlap a photon sent by the receiver with the information to be transmitted, causing the information to appear at the receiver’s end as if it had been teleported there, without the need for the information to travel between sender and receiver physically.
The statement noted that the scientists presented a cutting-edge advancement in 15 dimensions, making it possible to expand further and enabling high-capacity quantum network connections.
The research led by Professor Andrew Forbes from Wits University was conducted by an international team from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, and ICFO – The Institute of Photonic Sciences, Spain.
Qubits transmitted between satellites
Quantum communication is necessary for procuring information over extensive distances and has been proven by transmitting two-dimensional states called qubits between satellites.
Researchers noted that while this might seem sufficient compared to classical communication, where bits are sent one at a time and encoded as 1s (signal) and 0s (no signal), quantum optics expand their capabilities.
They paved the way for scientists to use a broader range of information symbols and securely represent more intricate systems, like a distinctive fingerprint or a complete facial image, all in a single transmission.
In simple terms, scientists demonstrated combining controlling special light patterns with quantum processes. This helped them use advanced quantum states in a novel way.
Dr. Adam Vallés from ICFO (Barcelona) stated that this experiment shows the feasibility of the process, motivating further advances in the nonlinear optics community by pushing the limits toward a full quantum implementation.
“We have to be cautious now, as this configuration could not prevent a cheating sender from keeping better copies of the information to be teleported, which means we could end up with many Mr Spock clones in the Star Trek world if that is what Scotty wanted.”
He added: “From a practical point of view, the configuration that we currently demonstrate can already be used to establish a high-dimensional secure channel for quantum communications between two parties, provided that the protocol does not need to be fed with single photons, as would be the case for quantum repeaters.”
Source: Interesting Engineering
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Study finds quantum-inspired tech transports data with light