In a breakthrough once considered impossible, researchers have successfully teleported quantum states through 30 kilometers of regular internet fiber optic cables amid torrents of everyday internet traffic.

The impressive demonstration by Northwestern University researchers represents a monumental step towards achieving a quantum-connected computing network without needing to reinvent the entire internet infrastructure.

🌟 "Nobody Thought It Was Possible"

"This is incredibly exciting because nobody thought it was possible," says Prem Kumar, a Northwestern University computing engineer who led the study. "Our work shows a path towards next-generation quantum and classical networks sharing a unified fiber optic infrastructure. Basically, it opens the door to pushing quantum communications to the next level."

🔬 Threading a Needle Through Internet Traffic

Shielding quantum states inside computers is challenging enough. But sending a single photon through optical fibers humming with bank transactions, cat videos, and text messages while protecting its fragile quantum state? That was considered nearly impossible.

The quantum state of any object is a hazy smear of possibility at risk of collapsing into classical reality moments after creation. Electromagnetic waves and thermal noise can quickly destroy the delicate quantum information if it isn't protected.

To preserve their lonely photon's precious state against a 400 gigabit-per-second current of internet traffic, the team applied a variety of techniques to restrict the photon's channel and reduce the chances it might scatter and mix with other waves.

"We carefully studied how light is scattered and placed our photons at a judicious point where that scattering mechanism is minimized. We found we could perform quantum communication without interference from the classical channels that are simultaneously present."

— Prem Kumar, Northwestern University

🚀 What This Means for the Future

While this won't help you download cat videos faster or beam to work to beat traffic, the ability to teleport quantum states through existing infrastructure opens doors to:

• Quantum computing networks — connecting quantum computers across the globe
• Unbreakable encryption — quantum-secured communications
• Advanced sensing — powerful new methods of measurement and monitoring

💡 A First in the Real World

While other research groups had successfully transmitted quantum information alongside classical data streams in simulations, Kumar's team was the first to teleport a quantum state alongside an actual, live internet stream carrying real traffic.

"Quantum teleportation has the ability to provide quantum connectivity securely between geographically distant nodes," says Kumar. "But many people have long assumed that nobody would build specialized infrastructure to send particles of light. If we choose the wavelengths properly, we won't have to build new infrastructure. Classical communications and quantum communications can coexist."

Research published in Optica journal. Original reporting from ScienceAlert.