Main points
- An international team of scientists has for the first time teleported the quantum state of a photon over a distance of 270 meters, a key step towards creating a quantum internet.
- The experiment confirmed the possibility of transmitting quantum information between independent sources with an accuracy of up to 82%, which exceeds classical limitations.
Breakthrough in physics: the state of a photon was transmitted 270 m through the air / Unsplash / FlyD
An international team of researchers has for the first time been able to transmit the quantum state of a photon between two separate sources over a distance of 270 meters, a major step towards creating quantum networks for secure communication.
An international team of scientists, including researchers from Paderborn University , has achieved the first teleportation of the quantum state of a photon between two independent quantum dots. This does not involve physically moving the particle, but rather transferring its properties – in particular polarization – to another photon. This is reported by Sciencedaily .
What does photon teleportation mean and why is it important?
The experiment was an important step towards creating a large-scale quantum internet, which promises extremely secure data exchange .
In their work, the scientists used an open optical channel 270 meters long , connecting two different photon sources. Thus, they managed to prove that quantum information can be transmitted between independent devices – a key condition for building future quantum networks.
The research is the result of almost a decade of work. The team, led by Professor Klaus Jons, collaborated with scientists from the Sapienza University of Rome , including the group of Professor Rinaldo Trotta. Together, they developed methods for optical measurements, data analysis, and the creation of quantum light sources.
The key to this achievement was the phenomenon of quantum entanglement . It allows the properties of particles to be linked in such a way that changes in one are instantly reflected in the other. This is what makes it possible to transfer information in quantum systems without directly transferring objects.
As Scitechdaily writes, previously similar experiments were only conducted with photons produced by a single source. The use of individual quantum emitters has long remained a difficult task, but now it has been possible to implement it.
To achieve this result, the scientists combined several technologies: precise quantum dot fabrication, nanofabrication of resonators, and optical quantum systems. Other European institutions, including Johannes Kepler University Linz and the University of Würzburg , also participated in the work.
The experiment itself took place in Rome: an open optical channel was laid between two buildings. The system used GPS synchronization, ultrafast single photon detectors, and stabilization technologies to compensate for atmospheric interference.
The teleportation quality , known as the quantum state preservation accuracy, reached a level of up to 82 ± 1%. This exceeds the classical limit by more than 10 standard deviations, confirming the reliability of the result.
The next step will be the implementation of so-called ” entanglement exchange “. This will allow the creation of quantum repeaters – key elements of the future quantum internet, which will ensure signal transmission over long distances.
Meanwhile, another team from Germany has also reported similar results using a different approach. Together, these achievements demonstrate the rapid progress in quantum technologies and bring new communication systems closer.