"Breakthrough" in Quantum Teleportation Gets Us Closer to Quantum Internet

Researchers at Oxford say they have made a quantum computing breakthrough, and one that gets us closer to a “quantum internet.”

The scientists built what they are calling a “scalable quantum supercomputer” that can utilize quantum teleportation. The “scalable” aspect is key here. Modules linked with optical fibers use entangled “qubits” that allow the quantum teleportation of logical gates across a network link, which are the minimum parts of algorithm, and this is what the researchers say makes this a breakthrough beyond what’s previously been done.

Dougal Main of Oxford’s physics department puts it this way, “By interconnecting the modules using photonic links, our system gains valuable flexibility, allowing modules to be upgraded or swapped out without disrupting the entire architecture.”

What does this breakthrough mean?

This is actually not the first time quantum teleportation has been demonstrated to transmit data. Late last year, researchers at Harvard demonstrated it over optical fiber, and later, Northwestern University also demonstrated quantum teleportation over fiber.

But the Oxford researchers believe their “breakthrough” goes beyond transfer “between physically separated systems.” Main explains that at Oxford, they can “use quantum teleportation to create interactions between these distant systems.” He continues, “By carefully tailoring these interactions, we can perform logical quantum gates – the fundamental operations of quantum computing – between qubits housed in separate quantum computers.”

When will we have a quantum internet?

It’s estimated that an interstate quantum network will be possible within the next 10 – 15 years. The practical uses for a quantum internet are specific as of now, for example, Quantum Key Distribution, or analysis of financial risk or other high-variable puzzles that quantum processes would be ideal for.

So don’t expect to be streaming ESPN over quantum teleportation anytime soon.

You can view a fun little animation of quantum teleportation here.