Scientists combined their expertise in optics, quantum information, and photonics to develop the quantum network.
Scientists from Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester have successfully established an experimental quantum communication s network connecting their campuses using two optical fibers.
Using the Rochester Quantum Network , the scientists transmitted information using single photons over roughly 11 miles of fiber-optic cable at room temperature, aided by optical wavelengths, marking a step toward secure, scalable quantum communications.Quantum communication networks promise to significantly enhance data security by making it virtually impossible to clone or intercept messages without detection.These systems rely on quantum bits, or qubits, which can be created using atoms, superconductors, or defects in materials like diamond. For long-distance communication, however, photons—individual particles of light—are the most practical type of qubit.Most compatible with existing communications lines, Photons are particularly attractive because they can travel through existing global fiber-optic infrastructure. While future quantum networks may use various qubit types—such as quantum dots or trapped ions, each suited to specific computing or sensing tasks—photons remain the most compatible with today’s communications lines. The new study focuses on enabling communication between these different types of qubits within a unified network.Breakthrough in photon transmission “Photons move at the speed of light and their wide range of wavelengths enable communication with different types of qubits,” Stefan Preble, professor in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering, said in a press release.“Our focus is on distributed quantum entanglement, and RoQNET is a test bed for doing that.”The teams at both campuses combined their expertise in optics, quantum information, and photonics to develop technology based on photonic-integrated circuits that could support quantum networking.Today, using fiber-optic lines for quantum communication typically depends on bulky and costly superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors , but the researchers aim to overcome this limitation with more compact, scalable solutions.“Quantum particles can be at either end of the universe and they’ll still be completely, perfectly correlated,” said Sundaram. “These experiments have been done using bulk optics and huge telescopes. We’re trying to put all of that onto a single microchip,” RIT microsystems engineering Ph.D. student Vijay Sundaram, who is the lead author on the paper, said.Big leap for building quantum networksNickolas Vamivakas, the Marie C. Wilson and Joseph C. Wilson Professor of Optical Physics, who led the University of Rochester’s efforts, described the project as a significant step toward building quantum networks to secure communications and enable new methods in distributed computing and imaging.“While other groups have developed experimental quantum networks, RoQNET is unique in its use of integrated quantum photonic chips for quantum light generation and solid-state-based quantum memory nodes,” she said.The researchers plan to connect RoQNET to other research facilities across New York state at Brookhaven National Lab, Stony Brook University, Air Force Research Laboratory, and New York University.The research was supported by the Air Force Research Laboratory. It has been published in Optica Quantum.
Fiber-Optic Cable Optical Wavelengths Photonic Circuits Quantum Communication Quantum Entanglement Roqnet Scalable Networks Single Photons Superconducting Detectors
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