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Scientists have efficiently transmitted quantum information and standard information by a single optical fiber for the primary time.
The analysis demonstrates that quantum data within the type of entangled photons and standard web information despatched as laser pulses can coexist in the identical fiber-optic cable.
Most analysis into building a quantum internet has targeted on the necessity for separate infrastructure or devoted channels for quantum information to keep away from interference from “classical” information. However this new “hybrid” community may pave the way in which for extra environment friendly implementation of quantum communications by enabling quantum and standard information to share the identical infrastructure. The researchers revealed their findings in a research revealed July 26 within the journal Science Advances.
Fiber-optic cables are composed of skinny strands of glass or plastic fibers that carry information as infrared mild pulses. These fibers transmit information by totally different coloration channels, with every similar to a selected wavelength of light.
Researchers have previously shown that quantum information may be transmitted by a typical fiber-optic cable, however this new experiment marks the primary time that each quantum and standard information have been transmitted collectively in the identical coloration channel.
Creating hybrid networks is difficult as a result of quantum information is commonly transmitted by fiber-optic cables utilizing entangled photons.
Entanglement happens when two qubits — probably the most fundamental models of quantum info — are linked in such a method that info is shared between them no matter their relationship over time or house. However entanglement is a particularly delicate state that may be simply disrupted by environmental disturbances like noise or interference from different indicators. This contains any information sharing the identical wavelength on a fiber-optic channel. This is named “decoherence,” and breaking this connection causes the qubits to lose their quantum state, leading to information loss.
“To make the quantum web a actuality, we have to transmit entangled photons through fiber optic networks,” research co-author Michael Kues, head of the Institute of Photonics at Leibniz College Hannover, mentioned in a statement. “We additionally wish to proceed utilizing optical fibres for typical information transmission.”
To get round these challenges, the scientists used a method known as electro-optic section modulation to exactly alter the frequency of the laser pulses in order that they matched the colour of the entangled photons. This enabled each forms of information to be transmitted in the identical coloration channel with out disrupting the quantum info held by the entangled photons.
The power to transmit quantum and standard information in the identical channel frees up different coloration channels within the fiber-optic cable for extra information, the scientists mentioned. This will likely be key to creating the numerous purposes of quantum computing, comparable to ultra-secure communications and quantum cryptography, extra sensible and scalable.
“Our analysis is a crucial step to mix the standard web with the quantum web,” mentioned Kues. “Our experiment reveals how the sensible implementation of hybrid networks can succeed.”
