In 2024, American scientists achieved a remarkable feat—they successfully teleported the quantum state of light over a fiber optic cable nearly 30 kilometers (18 miles) long. This experiment was conducted on a network already carrying a massive flow of internet data. This means that quantum teleportation is now possible outside the confines of the laboratory and amidst real-world internet traffic.
2. Data Remained Secure Even Amidst Internet Traffic:
The most significant aspect of this experiment was that the quantum state was transmitted through a fiber already carrying 400 gigabits per second of data—bank transactions, video calls, text messages, and streaming were all happening simultaneously. Despite this, the scientists prevented the quantum signal from being lost in this noise.
3. A Major Step Towards the Future of Quantum Networks:
This achievement is considered crucial in the development of a future quantum internet. This technology could not only exponentially increase computing speed but also make data encryption so secure that any form of hacking would be virtually impossible. It is considered the beginning of a new era for modern internet security and quantum communication.
4. The Brains Behind the Research—Prem Kumar and Team:
This project was led by Prem Kumar, a computer engineer at Northwestern University. He said, “This is incredibly exciting because no one thought it could be done.” He believes that this work will pave the way for connecting the classical internet and the quantum internet in the future.
5. What Exactly is Quantum Teleportation?
It is not a technique for physically transporting an object, but rather a process of “copying” its quantum information or state from one place to another. During this process, the original quantum state is destroyed, but the same probability and identity are recreated in a particle at the other location—much like the “transporter beam” shown in Star Trek films.
6. The Challenge—The Fragility of Quantum States:
Quantum states are extremely fragile. Even a slight change in temperature or electromagnetic radiation can destroy them. This is called decoherence. Scientists have to create extremely sensitive conditions to maintain these states—especially when the data is traveling through real internet traffic.
7. An ingenious solution for data protection:
During this experiment, scientists used special techniques to prevent the quantum state of the photons (light particles) from being disrupted by colliding with the internet signal. They placed the photons in a state where scattering was minimized to control the propagation of light. As a result, the quantum signal reached its destination without any interference.
8. The first instance of sending quantum information over the real internet:
Until now, most experiments were conducted in controlled lab networks or simulations, but Kumar’s team was the first to teleport quantum data alongside a real internet stream. This proves that the future quantum internet can operate on the existing fiber infrastructure—without the need to lay new lines.
9. Potential benefits of the quantum internet:
If this technology is implemented on a large scale, it could revolutionize cybersecurity, data privacy, and superfast computing. Scientists believe that quantum teleportation will allow two distant computers or servers to communicate with each other in a completely encrypted and secure manner.
10. The future direction—new technology, old infrastructure:
Prem Kumar says that if we choose the right wavelength, we won’t need to build a new network. This means that the traditional internet and the quantum internet can coexist on the same fiber. This will not only reduce costs but also simplify technological integration.
