Researchers Propose New Solution to Quantum Internet Transmission Problem
Summary
As described in an article on the work posted by the University of Chicago, “The vacuum beam guides, about 20 centimeters in diameter, would have ranges of thousands of kilometers and capacities of 10 trillion qubits per second, better than any existing quantum communication approach. “We believe this kind of network is feasible and has a lot of potential,”” said Liang Jiang, professor of molecular engineering and senior author of the new work. Recently, researchers from Tsinghua University, Beijing, reported successful development and testing of a new programmable quantum memory framework that held 72 optical qubits. With an array of aligned lenses spaced kilometers apart, the VBG offers ultra-high transparency over a wide range of optical wavelengths. Remarkably, without relying on quantum repeaters, the VBG can provide a ground-based, low-loss, high-bandwidth quantum channel that enables novel distributed quantum information applications for computing, communication, and sensing.” The scientists designed the VBG to operate with visible light, “which would benefit from a larger air transmission window and low-loss lens materials if sufficiently small lens roughness is achievable, while better transversal alignment is required to match the reduced beam waist w0 ∝ λ1/2 with shorter wavelengths.” They note that in practice, there will be a trade-off between the VBG’s performance and cost, and say “we can optimize its design parameters to achieve the desired balance.” Bottom line, they report: “We have presented a ground-based VBG scheme that enables the implementation of a highly transparent and reliable optical quantum channel with an effective attenuation length of over 104 km and a large communication bandwidth.