By Delivering Qubits Alongside Classical Data, Researchers Move Toward Bringing Us a Quantum Internet
Moving Toward a Quantum Internet Iris Choi, et al. ©2011 IOP Publishing Ltd and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft via PhysOrg Is this the beginning of the quantum Internet? UK researchers have shown that quantum and classical data streams can be interwoven within traditional fiber optics networks, enabling the distribution of quantum information to the home on existing cable. That means quantum key distribution (QKD) can work alongside traditional, classical data channels, a development that essentially lays the groundwork for a quantum Internet that exists alongside the classical one we have now. The team, from the Tyndall National Institute at University College Cork in Ireland, has demonstrated in a new paper how qubits--the basic blocks of quantum computing--can travel over standard fiber optics networks. This has been shown before, but not in a real-world kind of way. In other words, you can move qubits over fiber optics in theory, sure. But to feasibly...