Researchers Achieve Breakthrough in Quantum Teleportation Over Internet

A team of researchers in the United States has successfully teleported a quantum state of light through over 30 kilometers of fiber optic cable while managing typical internet traffic. This achievement, reported by Prem Kumar, a computing engineer at Northwestern University, marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of a quantum-connected computing network, promising advancements in encryption and data transmission methods.

The demonstration indicates that quantum states can be transmitted using existing optical fiber infrastructure, potentially merging quantum communication with classical internet traffic. Kumar noted, “This is incredibly exciting because nobody thought it was possible,” emphasizing the implications for future communications systems.

To protect the quantum state of the photon during transmission, the researchers employed techniques that minimized scattering and interference from other data streams. This successful teleportation suggests that a quantum internet may be achievable without the need for new infrastructure, allowing both classical and quantum communications to coexist effectively.

The findings were published in the journal Optica, further underscoring the growing recognition of quantum technologies' potential.