Future Fusion: The Incredible Merge of Quantum and Traditional Internet!
quantum and traditional internet merge
Scientists Merge Quantum Internet With Conventional Internet in Major Discovery
Advancements in Quantum Communication: Entangled Photon Transmission through Optical Fibers
Researchers at Leibniz University Hannover have pioneered a method for transmitting entangled photons through optical fibers, offering a potential convergence between quantum and conventional internet systems. This could lead to more secure communication and a more efficient use of existing fiber-optic infrastructure
A quartet of scientists from the Institute of Photonics at Leibniz University Hannover has crafted an innovative transmitter-receiver system specifically designed to send entangled photons via optical fibers.
This advancement paves the way for the future of telecommunications, where the quantum Internet could be transmitted through these fibers.
The quantum Internet is expected to provide encryption that is immune to eavesdropping, even from the most advanced quantum computers, safeguarding essential infrastructure. “To establish the quantum Internet, we must successfully transmit entangled photons across fiber optic networks,” explains Prof. Dr. Michael Kues, Director of the Institute of Photonics and Board Member of the PhoenixD Cluster of Excellence at Leibniz University Hannover.
“Additionally, we aim to preserve the utility of these fibers for conventional data transfer. Our research marks a significant step toward merging the conventional and quantum Internet.”
In their study, the team showed that the entanglement of photons remains intact even when transmitted alongside a laser pulse. “We are able to adjust the wavelength of the laser pulse using a high-speed electrical signal to align it with the entangled photons,” elaborates Philip Rübeling, a doctoral candidate at the Institute of Photonics focused on the quantum Internet. “This capability allows us to transmit laser pulses and entangled photons of the same wavelength through an optical fiber
quantum and traditional internet merge: Integrating Hybrid Networks
This effect could enable a seamless integration of conventional and quantum Internet technologies. Previously, it was not possible to use both forms of transmission on the same optical fiber wavelength. “Entangled photons would occupy a data channel in the fiber, preventing its use for traditional data transmission,” notes Jan Heine, a doctoral student working under Prof. Kues.
Through their newly demonstrated concept, entangled photons can now be transmitted within the same wavelength channel as laser light. This implies that all channels could still support conventional data transfer. “Our experiment showcases how hybrid networks could be practically realized,” asserts Prof. Michael Kues.
Reference
“Quantum and coherent signal transmission on a single-frequency channel via the electro-optic serrodyne technique” by Philip Rübeling, Jan Heine, Robert Johanning, and Michael Kues, published on July 26, 2024, in Science Advances. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adn8907.
