Europe is making significant strides in creating a quantum internet infrastructure. Quantum physics, which deals with the properties and interactions of particles at the molecular and atomic level, is the basis of this new network. Dr. Benjamin Lanyon at the University of Innsbruck in Austria achieved a breakthrough by transferring information along an optical fiber using the principles of quantum physics. The use of quantum bits, or qubits, enables more secure transmission of information due to the fundamental changes that occur when particles are observed, making eavesdropping almost impossible.
The European Union is funding the Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA), a research project aimed at bringing together research institutes and companies across Europe. The QIA received €24 million in funding and is expected to operate until the end of March 2026. The QIA’s goal is to develop a quantum internet that will work in conjunction with the classical internet, rather than replacing it.
One of the key concepts in quantum physics is entanglement, where particles have similar properties regardless of the distance between them. This property allows for secure communication, as any attempt to interfere with the transmission would cause a change in the observed particles’ state. The secure communication provided by a quantum internet could have far-reaching applications in fields such as medicine and astronomy.
Scaling up the quantum internet to cover longer distances and connecting remote cities is the next challenge. The ultimate goal is to create a prototype of a quantum internet that can span hundreds of kilometers, similar to the global reach of the classical internet. However, experts are cautious about predicting when a full version of a quantum internet will be available for widespread use.
In addition to advancing the quantum internet, Europe is also investing in the development of quantum computers. The European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking announced that six countries in Europe will host quantum computers, ensuring that Europe remains at the forefront of quantum technologies.
Sources:
– “Europe eyes development of quantum internet” – Science X (science x dot com)
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2023-10-11 21:43:59
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