Scientists at the University of Rochester and Rochester Institute of Technology have developed an experimental quantum communications network called RoQNET. They linked their campuses using two optical fibers, spanning about 11 miles.
Their study, published in Optica Quantum, shows how RoQNET uses single photons to send information securely. Quantum communications networks make messages nearly impossible to hack without detection. These networks rely on quantum bits, or qubits, which carry information in a quantum state.
Qubits can be atoms, superconductors, or defects in materials like diamond, but photons are best for long-distance communication. Photons travel through fiber-optic lines. These lines already exist worldwide, making photons ideal for quantum networks. RoQNET uses photonic-integrated circuits, small chips that control light, to generate and manage quantum light. The network also includes solid-state quantum memory nodes, devices that store quantum information.
Advancing quantum connectivity
RoQNET stands out because it uses integrated quantum photonic chips and solid-state memory, unlike other quantum networks. These chips make the system more compact and efficient. The network operates at room temperature, avoiding the need for bulky, costly detectors. This makes RoQNET more practical for widespread use. Photons move at light speed and work with various qubits, like quantum dots or trapped ions.
The researchers aim to connect different qubit types, enabling secure communication and new computing methods. They focus on distributed quantum entanglement. RoQNET serves as a test bed for this technology. The scientists plan to expand the network to other New York research sites, including Brookhaven National Lab and Stony Brook University.
This work combines expertise in optics, the study of light, and photonics, the technology of light manipulation. The findings support secure data transmission and advance distributed computing, where multiple computers work together. RoQNET’s innovations could lead to stronger, more accessible quantum networks, protecting sensitive information and powering new technologies.