An international team of researchers in Madrid has achieved a breakthrough by producing, storing, and retrieving quantum information for the first time. This development is crucial for networking in the field of quantum physics, as the ability to share quantum information is essential for distributed computing and secure communication.
The challenge of developing quantum networks lies in the loss of quantum information over long distances. To address this issue, the researchers divided the network into smaller segments and interconnected them using a shared quantum state. This required the development of a quantum memory device that could store and retrieve quantum information effectively.
A team of researchers from Imperial College London, universities in Southampton, Stuttgart, and Wurzburg in Germany successfully interconnected key devices for quantum networking using regular optical fibers to transmit quantum data. This achievement was published in Science Advances.
The researchers emphasized the importance of interconnecting devices to enable quantum networking and facilitate connections between distant locations and quantum computers. Unlike traditional telecommunications systems, quantum networks cannot use repeaters to amplify signals without risking the loss of quantum information.
To share quantum information over long distances, the researchers utilized entangled light particles or photons. These particles share properties in a way that one cannot be understood without the other. Creating and storing entangled photons for quantum networking requires devices that can generate and store them efficiently at the same wavelength.
The team developed a system in which both the quantum dot light source and quantum memory device operated at the same wavelength, compatible with existing telecommunications networks. This allowed for efficient storage and retrieval of