In the race towards a quantum future, researchers at the University of Bath have made a significant development that could revolutionize how we transmit data in the quantum age. Their innovation? A new generation of specialty optical fibers designed specifically to meet the unique challenges of quantum communication.
As we stand on the brink of the quantum computing era, promising unparalleled computational power and unbreakable encryption, our current data transmission infrastructure faces a critical limitation. The conventional optical fibers that form the backbone of today’s global internet are simply not up to the task of quantum communication. But fear not – a solution is on the horizon, and it’s thinner than a human hair.
“The conventional optical fibers that are the workhorse of our telecommunications networks of today transmit light at wavelengths that are entirely governed by the losses of silica glass,” says study co-author Dr. Kristina Rusimova, from the Department of Physics at Bath, in a statement. “However, these wavelengths are not compatible with the operational wavelengths of the single-photon sources, qubits, and active optical components, that are required for light-based quantum technologies.”
Enter the microstructured optical fiber. Unlike traditional optical fibers with their solid glass cores, these new fibers feature a complex pattern of air pockets running along their entire length. This seemingly simple change opens up a world of possibilities for controlling and manipulating light in ways crucial for quantum technologies.
One of the most exciting applications of these fibers is in creating the building blocks of a quantum internet. By carefully designing the structure of these fibers, researchers can generate pairs of entangled photons – particles of light that are inextricably linked, no matter how far apart they are. This quantum entanglement is the secret sauce that makes many quantum technologies possible.
“A quantum internet is an essential ingredient in delivering on the vast promises of such emerging quantum technology. Much like the existing internet, a quantum internet will rely on optical fibers to deliver information from node to node,” says Dr. Cameron McGarry, first author of the paper. “These optical fibers are likely to be very different to those that are used currently and will require different supporting technology to be useful.”
Source: https://studyfinds.org/next-gen-optical-fibers-quantum-computing/