You may have heard about the quantum internet, but what exactly is it? It’s a network that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to transmit information securely and perform powerful computations. However, building a practical quantum internet has been a challenge due to the fragility of entangled states in fiber cables, as Prnewswire points out.
Entanglement is a key ingredient for secure communication and powerful computation in quantum networks, according to sredevops. However, disturbances in fiber cables can rapidly degrade entanglement, making it difficult to maintain over long distances.
As reported by NYU, that’s where Qunnect Inc.’s GothamQ network comes in. It utilizes a leased 34-kilometer-long fiber circuit under the streets of New York City. The network operated for an impressive 15 continuous days with an uptime of 99.84%. It transmitted polarization-entangled photon pairs at a rate of about 20,000 per second, achieving a compensation fidelity of 99%.
This breakthrough demonstration shows that it’s possible to distribute entanglement over metropolitan fiber networks for extended periods. It brings us one step closer to realizing the potential of a practical and stable quantum internet.
NYU and Qunnect have successfully tested a 10-mile quantum networking link between the Brooklyn Navy Yard and NYU’s campus in Manhattan. Physorg reports that this link transmits highly entangled photonic quantum bits at an impressive rate of 15,000 pairs per second over fiber optic cable, achieving a remarkable 99% uptime. This test further demonstrates the feasibility of establishing a robust quantum network in an urban environment.
Image credit: PRNewswire
