Articles tagged with "quantum-communication"
Quantum disorder powers self-sustaining microwave signal in diamond
Researchers from TU Wien and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology have demonstrated that superradiance—a quantum phenomenon where many particles emit energy collectively in a powerful but typically short-lived burst—can be harnessed to produce long-lived, self-sustaining microwave signals without external energy input. Using a diamond crystal embedded with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers placed inside a microwave cavity, they observed that after an initial superradiant burst, the system emitted a series of narrow, coherent microwave pulses lasting up to one millisecond. This unexpected persistence arises from spin–spin interactions within the diamond that dynamically redistribute energy among the spins, effectively enabling the system to drive itself through a process called self-induced superradiant masing. This discovery overturns the traditional view that such interactions only introduce noise and destroy coherence in quantum systems. Instead, the chaotic spin dynamics organize themselves to maintain a stable, coherent microwave signal. The ability to generate long-lived, self-sustaining quantum signals has significant implications for practical technologies
quantum-technologymicrowave-signalsdiamond-NV-centerssuperradiancequantum-spinsquantum-materialsquantum-communicationTrigger-based single photons generated on demand for quantum tech
Researchers in Japan have developed a laser-guided fabrication technique that enables precise placement of a single quantum light source—a color center—within a carbon nanotube. By suspending a carbon nanotube across a narrow trench and exposing it to iodobenzene vapor, they used a focused ultraviolet laser to trigger a localized chemical reaction that creates a defect acting as a quantum emitter. Continuous real-time monitoring of the nanotube’s photoluminescence allowed the team to stop the reaction immediately after forming a single color center, ensuring only one photon-emitting site was created at a controlled position with micrometer precision. This method overcomes previous challenges where multiple, unpredictable emission sites formed along the nanotube, which hindered practical quantum applications. This breakthrough is significant because carbon nanotubes can emit single photons at room temperature and at telecom wavelengths compatible with existing optical fiber networks, unlike many other materials that require extreme cooling. The ability to generate single photons on demand and at precise locations opens the door to scalable quantum phot
quantum-communicationsingle-photon-sourcecarbon-nanotubesquantum-technologymaterials-sciencephotoluminescencenanofabricationNew quantum method lets drones, robots talk in 'signal lost' zones
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a novel quantum communication method enabling AI-driven machines—such as drone swarms and robotic teams—to coordinate and share information without transmitting traditional signals. This approach leverages quantum entanglement, a phenomenon where pairs of qubits remain interconnected so that changes to one instantly affect the other, regardless of distance, without sending signals through space. The team created a framework called entangled quantum multi-agent reinforcement learning (eQMARL), where each agent holds entangled qubits and modifies them based on environmental interactions. Other agents detect these changes locally, allowing coordination without direct data exchange, which is especially valuable in environments where communication is unreliable or jammed, such as disaster zones. Testing showed that eQMARL outperforms classical AI and non-entangled quantum methods in limited-communication scenarios, offering promising applications for coordinating autonomous systems in “signal lost” zones like wildfire management or search-and-rescue operations. Despite its potential for ultra-secure communication that bypasses conventional networks
roboticsdronesquantum-communicationAImulti-agent-systemsquantum-entanglementdisaster-responseWorld's first portable quantum radio tested by China for border troops
China has developed and begun testing what is likely the world’s first portable quantum radio device, designed to enhance military communications in challenging environments where conventional systems fail. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has trialed a 6.6-pound prototype capable of receiving radio signals from several tens of miles away, even in obstructed terrains such as valleys, dense forests, steep canyons, and remote highlands. This compact device uses a miniaturized quantum reception mechanism, shrinking the antenna array to just a few centimeters without sacrificing signal strength, allowing a single soldier to carry it easily during frontline operations. This advancement marks a significant step in transitioning quantum technologies from laboratory research to practical military applications. The PLA’s Information Support Force is accelerating efforts to integrate quantum-based communication, detection, and computing tools into their cyber operations, aiming to gain strategic advantages in future conflicts. China’s progress in quantum technology, including the recent mass production of ultra-low-noise single-photon detectors for stealth tracking, reflects growing
IoTquantum-communicationmilitary-technologyportable-radiowireless-communicationsignal-processingfield-testingSingle-atom setup settles Einstein–Bohr challenge with new clarity
A research team at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), led by Pan Jianwei, has experimentally realized a century-old thought experiment originally proposed by Albert Einstein in 1927, which challenged the foundations of quantum mechanics. Using a highly sensitive single-atom interferometer with a trapped rubidium atom cooled near absolute zero, they recreated Einstein’s idea of detecting a photon’s path by measuring the recoil of a movable slit. Their results confirmed Niels Bohr’s counterargument: attempting to determine the photon’s trajectory destroys the interference pattern, demonstrating the fundamental incompatibility of certain quantum properties in a single measurement. This experiment provides one of the clearest modern validations of Bohr’s interpretation of quantum mechanics. Beyond settling this historic debate, the experiment offers a precise platform to explore more subtle quantum phenomena such as coherence loss and entanglement with the environment. By controlling the atom’s confinement and thus the photon’s momentum uncertainty, the team could tune the visibility of interference fringes, aligning
materialsquantum-physicssingle-atom-interferometerquantum-mechanicsquantum-entanglementquantum-sensorsquantum-communicationNew quantum device operates at room temperature for stable qubits
Stanford University researchers have developed a nanoscale quantum device that operates at room temperature, eliminating the need for the extreme cryogenic cooling required by current quantum computers. This breakthrough device uses engineered silicon nanostructures combined with a layer of molybdenum diselenide, a transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC), to stabilize qubits by entangling the spins of photons and electrons. The silicon chip creates “twisted light,” where photons spin in a corkscrew pattern, enabling strong coupling with electron spins—crucial for quantum communication and processing. The nanoscale patterns on the chip are about the size of visible light wavelengths, allowing precise control over these quantum interactions. This innovation addresses a major limitation in quantum technology: qubit decoherence caused by thermal noise at higher temperatures. By enabling stable qubits at room temperature, the device promises to make quantum systems smaller, more practical, and less costly, potentially expanding their use beyond specialized labs. The researchers envision applications in
quantum-computingmaterials-sciencesilicon-nanostructurestransition-metal-dichalcogenidesroom-temperature-quantum-devicesquantum-communicationnanoscale-materialsGermany tests hybrid quantum network across mobile and fiber links
Germany’s QuNET initiative has successfully demonstrated hybrid quantum key distribution (QKD) across both mobile and fiber optic communication channels, marking a major advancement toward secure digital communication networks. Supported by a €125 million investment from the German Federal Ministry for Research, Technology, and Space, the project involves leading institutions such as Fraunhofer IOF, Fraunhofer HHI, the Max Planck Institute, and others. Over the past four years, the consortium has completed several real-world tests, including quantum-secured video conferencing between federal agencies, secure data transmission over Berlin’s fiber network, and quantum communication with a research aircraft, showcasing the system’s robustness in complex and mobile environments. A key innovation of the project is the integration of diverse QKD protocols and link types—fiber, free-space optical links, and future satellite nodes—into a single functioning network, a feat not previously published worldwide. The team addressed challenges such as signal degradation in turbulent air by employing free-jet technology to enable mobile and
IoTquantum-communicationcybersecurityhybrid-networksfiber-opticsmobile-communicationsecure-data-transmissionPhoton teleportation achieved between two independent quantum dots
Researchers at the University of Stuttgart, in collaboration with partners from the Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research in Dresden and Saarland University, have successfully demonstrated quantum teleportation between photons emitted by two different quantum dots. This breakthrough addresses a critical challenge in building quantum repeaters, which are essential for extending secure quantum communication over long distances via fiber networks. By using nearly identical quantum dots to generate single photons and entangled photon pairs, and employing quantum frequency converters to align their frequencies, the team achieved a transfer of polarization states with a success rate slightly above 70 percent. This achievement marks the first time quantum information has been teleported between photons from independent quantum dots, a feat previously hindered by the difficulty of producing indistinguishable photons from separate sources. The experiment involved sending one photon through a 10-meter optical fiber to interfere with another, enabling the teleportation process. The work is part of the Quantenrepeater.Net project, a large German research consortium aiming to develop quantum repeat
quantum-dotsquantum-teleportationquantum-communicationquantum-networksquantum-repeaterssemiconductor-materialsphotonicsChina mass producing quantum radars to track US stealth jets
China has begun mass production of a novel ultra-sensitive photon detector, described as the world’s first four-channel, ultra-low noise single-photon detector, developed by the Quantum Information Engineering Technology Research Center in Anhui province. This device can detect individual photons, a capability critical for advancing quantum radar technology. Quantum radars leverage the unique quantum properties of photons to detect stealth aircraft, such as the US F-22 and F-35 fighters, which evade traditional radar by absorbing or deflecting signals. By analyzing the quantum state changes of photons reflected from stealth jets, these radars can reveal their positions with greater accuracy, consume less power, and be deployed on various platforms while emitting less detectable energy. China’s new photon detector is significantly smaller—only one-ninth the size of existing single-channel detectors—and enhances the simultaneous detection and tracking of multiple light sources, improving imaging rates and detection range. Previously, China developed a quantum radar with a detection range of about 100 kilometers, and this advancement is
quantum-radarphoton-detectorstealth-technologyquantum-communicationenergy-detectiondefense-technologyChina-technologyUS team achieves 99% fidelity in quantum communication breakthrough
A research team at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has achieved a major breakthrough in quantum communication by generating entangled photons at a telecom-band wavelength of 1389 nm using an array of ytterbium-171 (¹⁷¹Yb) atoms. This development enables high-fidelity (up to 99%) entanglement directly compatible with existing fiber-optic infrastructure, overcoming previous challenges related to signal degradation and efficiency loss caused by wavelength conversion. The team’s approach allows for parallelized entanglement generation across multiple atoms projected onto a commercial fiber array, significantly enhancing the scalability and performance of quantum networks. This scalable quantum networking architecture supports simultaneous, uniform, and high-fidelity entanglement across interconnected nodes with minimal crosstalk, a critical requirement for reliable quantum communication. Additionally, the researchers introduced a mid-circuit networking protocol to maintain coherence of data qubits during network operations, ensuring data stability even when multiple connections are active. Their findings indicate that with minor technical improvements,
quantum-communicationquantum-networkingquantum-processorsentangled-photonstelecom-band-photonsfiber-optic-communicationquantum-computingResearchers transmit photons from moving plane in major quantum leap
A consortium of German researchers has achieved a significant breakthrough in quantum communication by successfully transmitting individual photons from a moving DLR Dornier 228 research aircraft to a mobile ground station, verifying their quantum states. This experiment, part of Germany’s QuNET initiative, demonstrated key technologies for quantum key distribution (QKD), which uses photons to create encryption keys that are practically impossible to intercept undetected. The research utilized an optical communication terminal equipped with a quantum-entangled photon generator developed by the Fraunhofer Institute, and a specialized mobile receiving station called QuBUS, which employed advanced tracking and adaptive optics to maintain a stable connection despite atmospheric turbulence. The photons captured by QuBUS were transmitted via fiber optics to an ion trap at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light for detailed quantum state analysis, successfully meeting one of the experiment’s primary objectives. This achievement highlights the potential of mobile platforms like aircraft—and eventually satellites—to establish global, tap-proof quantum communication networks. Such networks promise unprecedented security for governmental and
quantum-communicationphoton-transmissionquantum-key-distributionsecure-communicationoptical-communicationsatellite-quantum-networksquantum-encryptionUltrafast squeezed light tames quantum uncertainty in real time
Researchers at the University of Arizona, led by Mohammed Hassan, have achieved the first real-time measurement and control of quantum uncertainty using ultrafast squeezed light pulses. This breakthrough directly observes Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle in action by manipulating “squeezed light,” a quantum state where uncertainty is redistributed between two linked properties of photons—intensity and phase—allowing one property to be measured more precisely at the expense of the other. Unlike previous methods that used millisecond laser pulses, Hassan’s team generated squeezed light with femtosecond (one quadrillionth of a second) pulses via a novel four-wave mixing technique in fused silica, enabling ultrafast quantum optics. The team demonstrated real-time control over quantum uncertainty by adjusting the position of the silica relative to the laser beams, fluctuating between intensity and phase squeezing. This advancement not only opens a new field combining ultrafast lasers and quantum optics but also has practical implications for secure quantum communication. Their method enhances security by making it
quantum-opticsultrafast-laserssqueezed-lightquantum-uncertaintyphotonicsoptical-materialsquantum-communicationNew molecular coating method improves quantum photon purity by 87%
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a novel molecular coating technique that significantly enhances the purity and reliability of single-photon sources critical for quantum technologies. By applying a layer of PTCDA molecules onto tungsten diselenide, an atomically thin semiconductor known for its single-photon emission at atomic defects, the team achieved an 87% improvement in photon spectral purity. This coating protects the fragile quantum emitters from atmospheric contaminants like oxygen, which previously caused variability and noise in photon production, without altering the semiconductor’s intrinsic electronic properties. The PTCDA coating not only stabilizes the photon emission but also uniformly shifts the photon energy to lower levels, beneficial for quantum communication devices. This uniformity and improved control over photon emission are essential for developing scalable, tunable, and stable single-photon sources, which are foundational for quantum computing, sensing, and secure quantum communication networks. The researchers plan to extend this approach to other semiconductor materials and explore electrically driven photon emission, aiming to advance toward interconnected quantum networks and
quantum-materialsmolecular-coatingtungsten-diselenidesingle-photon-emittersquantum-communicationsemiconductor-materialsquantum-technologyNew qubits operate at telecom frequencies, expand quantum potential
Researchers from the University of Chicago, UC Berkeley, Argonne National Laboratory, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed new molecular qubits that operate at telecommunications frequencies, marking a significant advance toward scalable quantum networks compatible with existing fiber-optic infrastructure. These qubits utilize erbium, a rare-earth element known for its clean optical properties and strong magnetic interactions, enabling them to bridge the gap between light (used for transmitting quantum information) and magnetism (fundamental to many quantum devices). This molecular platform allows quantum information to be encoded magnetically and accessed optically at wavelengths compatible with current telecommunications and silicon photonics technologies. Operating at telecom-band frequencies, these molecular qubits have potential applications beyond laboratory settings, including ultra-secure quantum communication, linking quantum computers over long distances, and nanoscale sensing in diverse environments such as biological systems or silicon-based chips. Their chemical flexibility and compatibility with existing optical infrastructure position them as promising building blocks for the future quantum internet. The research highlights the importance of synthetic molecular chemistry
quantum-computingquantum-internetmolecular-qubitstelecom-frequenciesoptical-fiber-networksquantum-communicationrare-earth-materialsQuantum internet closer: New router transmits data with 99% fidelity
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a breakthrough photonic quantum router capable of transmitting quantum information with over 99% fidelity and extremely low signal loss (0.06 dB or about 1.3%). This device is compatible with existing telecommunication networks and operates at nanosecond speeds, addressing a major hurdle in building scalable quantum communication systems. The router employs a novel parallelogram-shaped interferometer design that preserves photon polarization while reducing the number of optical components, thereby minimizing signal loss and enhancing stability. In a pioneering demonstration, the router successfully directed entangled photon pairs while maintaining an interference visibility of approximately 97%, confirming its ability to handle complex quantum states crucial for applications like distributed quantum computing and secure quantum communication. This development marks a significant step toward realizing a practical quantum internet, which relies on transmitting quantum data encoded in photons without loss or corruption. The new router combines essential features—low loss, high speed, noise-free operation, and telecom compatibility—making it a foundational component for
IoTquantum-internetphotonic-routerquantum-communicationtelecommunication-networksquantum-computingsecure-communicationScientists create quantum 'telephones' to connect long-distance atoms
Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia have successfully created quantum entanglement between two distant phosphorus atoms embedded in silicon, marking a significant advancement in quantum computing. Using electrons as a bridge, they established entangled states between the nuclear spins of atoms separated by up to 20 nanometers. This breakthrough was demonstrated through a two-qubit controlled-Z logic operation, achieving a nuclear Bell state with a fidelity of approximately 76% and a concurrence of 0.67. The findings, published in the journal Science, suggest that nuclear spin-based quantum computers can be developed using existing silicon technology and manufacturing processes. The key innovation lies in using electrons—capable of “spreading out” in space—to mediate communication between atomic nuclei that were previously isolated like people in soundproof rooms. By enabling these nuclei to “talk” over a distance via electron exchange interactions, the researchers effectively created quantum “telephones” that allow long-distance entanglement. This method is robust
quantum-computingsilicon-microchipsquantum-entanglementsemiconductor-technologyspin-qubitsnuclear-spinquantum-communicationHollow glass fiber transmits internet with 1,000x greater capacity
Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a novel hollow glass fiber that transmits internet signals through air-filled channels rather than solid glass cores. This design significantly reduces signal loss, allowing light to travel more efficiently over longer distances—extending the range before losing half the signal from 15–20 kilometers in conventional fibers to about 33 kilometers. The hollow fibers can carry over 1,000 times the power of traditional fibers and support a broader spectrum of wavelengths, including single-photon pulses used in quantum communication, making the technology promising for both current internet infrastructure and emerging quantum networks. The fiber’s unique structure consists of five small cylinders with nested cylinders arranged precisely to confine specific light wavelengths within the hollow core, preventing signal leakage. Manufacturing challenges have been addressed by starting with a large glass preform containing the hollow channels, which is then stretched while pressurized to maintain the geometry. Commercial production is underway through Lumenisity, a Southampton spin-off acquired by Microsoft in 2022, highlighting
materialsoptical-fiberdata-transmissionenergy-efficiencyphotonicsquantum-communicationinternet-technologyResearchers Surf the Magnon Wave to Control Particles in Next-Gen Electronics - CleanTechnica
A recent study led by researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and international collaborators has demonstrated how magnons—waves in magnetic systems—can be used to control interactions between excitons, which are neutral quasiparticles that carry energy in materials. By linking magnetic and charge excitations in certain magnetic semiconductors, the team showed that electron pair interactions, fundamental to next-generation electronics, can be modulated. This was explained through a newly developed quantum-mechanical theoretical framework. The findings, published in Nature Materials, suggest potential applications in quantum technologies, particularly in developing quantum transducers essential for quantum communication and computing. Excitons form when an energized electron and the hole it leaves behind bind together, influencing how materials absorb and emit light, which is critical for devices like solar panels, LEDs, and smartphones. Magnons, related to electron spin orientations, offer a means to manipulate magnetic properties in these materials. The ability to control exciton behavior via magnons opens new avenues for opt
energymaterialsquantum-technologiesmagnetic-semiconductorsexcitonsmagnonsquantum-communicationRecord-breaking single-photon detector ends need for cryogenics
Researchers at ICFO have developed a groundbreaking single-photon detector capable of sensing mid-infrared photons at significantly higher temperatures—around 25 Kelvin—compared to conventional detectors that require cryogenic cooling below 1 Kelvin. This advance eliminates the need for bulky, energy-intensive cryogenic systems, making the technology more practical for integration into photonic circuits. The detector is constructed from stacked two-dimensional materials, specifically bilayer graphene sandwiched between hexagonal boron nitride layers, precisely aligned to create a moiré pattern that induces a bistability effect. This bistability allows the device to switch between two stable states when triggered by a single photon, enabling detection without ultra-low temperatures. The novel detection mechanism differs fundamentally from traditional superconducting and semiconductor detectors by operating near an electrical tipping point, where a single photon acts as a trigger to switch the device’s state. This approach enhances sensitivity to long-wavelength photons and has potential applications in astronomy, quantum communication, and medical imaging by improving the
materialsgraphenephoton-detectorquantum-communication2D-materialsmid-infrared-detectioncryogenicsScientists teleport telecom qubit to solid-state quantum memory
Researchers at Nanjing University have achieved the world’s first quantum teleportation of a telecom-wavelength photonic qubit into a solid-state quantum memory, marking a significant advance toward scalable quantum internet technology. Unlike previous experiments that required frequency conversion, this demonstration operated entirely within the telecom band used by conventional fiber-optic networks, enabling seamless integration with existing communication infrastructure. The experiment transferred quantum information from a photon to an erbium ion ensemble-based solid-state memory, which is crucial for temporarily storing quantum states and facilitating long-distance quantum communication. The team, led by Xiao-Song Ma, implemented a complex system comprising five interconnected components: input state preparation, an entangled photon source generated on an integrated photonic chip, a Bell-state measurement module, the erbium-based quantum memory, and a frequency distribution and fine-tuning setup using Fabry-Pérot cavities and the Pound-Drever-Hall technique. This fully fiber-compatible setup avoids signal loss and frequency mismatches, overcoming major hurdles in practical
quantum-teleportationquantum-memorysolid-state-memoryquantum-communicationtelecom-qubitquantum-networksphotonic-qubitQuantum ‘translator’: A tiny silicon chip links microwaves and light like never before
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have developed a tiny silicon chip that acts as a highly efficient quantum "translator," converting signals between microwaves (used in quantum computing) and light (used in communication) with up to 95% efficiency and almost zero noise. This conversion is crucial because microwaves, while integral to quantum computers, cannot travel long distances effectively, whereas optical photons can. The chip achieves this by incorporating tiny magnetic defects in silicon that trap electrons; these electrons flip states to mediate the conversion without absorbing energy, preserving the fragile quantum information and entanglement necessary for quantum communication. This innovation addresses a major challenge in creating a quantum internet, enabling quantum computers to remain entangled over long distances, potentially across cities or continents. Unlike previous devices, the UBC chip works bidirectionally, adds minimal noise, and operates with extremely low power consumption using superconducting materials. While still theoretical and requiring physical realization, this design represents a significant advance toward secure, ultra-fast quantum networks that
quantum-computingsilicon-chipquantum-communicationmicrowave-to-optical-conversionquantum-internetquantum-materialsphotonicsUS shows world-first quantum communication in live nuclear reactor
energyquantum-communicationnuclear-reactorcybersecuritydigital-transformationquantum-encryptionclean-energy