Quantum Internet Breakthrough: Stable Long-Distance Communication Demonstrated
Scientists have made a significant stride towards a practical quantum internet. They've demonstrated a robust method to synchronize quantum nodes over existing fiber infrastructure, marking a crucial advance in long-distance quantum communication.
The team achieved stable phase synchronization between remote nodes using a frequency comb and advanced control techniques. This was accomplished over two 2.1km long deployed quantum fiber links, with a fidelity greater than 0.998. High-stability lasers were crucial for maintaining coherence throughout the process. The system exhibits exceptionally low timing jitter, paving the way for practical, scalable quantum networks.
This breakthrough enables various applications such as quantum key distribution, secure communication, distributed quantum computing, quantum metrology, and quantum telescopes. The research builds on techniques adapted from high-stability optical atomic clocks to isolate quantum and classical communication channels. The team utilized existing deployed optical fibers and a sophisticated feedback loop for active stabilization.
The research, published in leading scientific journals like Nature and Science, represents a major milestone in quantum networking. It brings us closer to a future where quantum technologies can revolutionize communication, computing, and sensing. Further research by teams worldwide, including those at the University of Innsbruck and MIT, will build upon this progress towards a fully functional quantum internet.
