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A network of crystals for long-distance quantum communication by Staff Writers Geneva, Switzerland (SPX) May 31, 2017
Quantum physic can guarantee that a message has not be intercepted before reaching its destination. Thanks to the laws of quantum physic, a particle of light - a photon - can be in two distinct states simultaneously, comparable to a coin thrown in the air, which is virtually both head and tail before reaching the ground. Like when the coin is grabbed, this superposition of states is destroyed as soon as it is read. This peculiar feature allow one to detect an evil eavesdropper when sending a message. However, this technique is so far limited to short distances. In order to extend the reach of these quantum communications, researchers from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland, have demonstrated a novel protocol based on a crystal than can emit quantum light as well as store it for arbitrary long times. This work, to appear in Physical Review Letters, paves the way for a future quantum repeater. Quantum superposition is one of the fascinating features of quantum physic. "In order to test the security of communication link, we can use particles of light, photons, onto which we encode quantum bits (analogous to the bit used in computing) ", explains Cyril Laplane, a researcher in the Group of Applied Physics at UNIGE. He continues: "We then take advantage of the properties of quantum superposition, allowing the photon to be simultaneously in two states, to test the security of a communication link". Indeed if the photon is intercepted and read, the superposition of states is lost, only one of the two states remains. Hence, the recipient can know if the message has been intercepted.
The need for quantum repeaters It is however impossible to use such procedure in quantum communication without destroying the superposition of states. Physicists need to build a quantum repeater able to store the dual character of the photon but also produce such state, a true challenge.
A crystal based solution "We are using a crystal capable of storing quantum state of light. It possesses the advantage of being relatively simple to use with potential for very long storage times", clarifies Jean Etesse, a co-author of the paper. These crystals are able to absorb light and restore it later, without reading the information encoded on it. Furthermore, they can generate single photons and store them on demand. Another major asset is their potential for miniaturisation. Since the crystal is the source and memory for quantum information, it simplifies the protocol for quantum repeaters and lays the foundation of a quantum internet. Physicists at UNIGE are already working on the creation of an elementary link of quantum communication using a repeater.
Washington (UPI) May 30, 2017 A team of particle physicists are trying their hands at musical composition. Researchers at the University of Plymouth, in tandem with scientists at MIT and CERN in Switzerland, want to turn data generated by the Large Hadron Collider, the world's largest particle accelerator, into piano music. Composers at Plymouth's Interdisciplinary Centre for Computer Music Research have deve ... read more Related Links Universite de Geneve Understanding Time and Space
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