Quantum teleportation and data transfer via entangled quantum systems. (representational image)
Quantum teleportation, once the stuff of science fiction, is rapidly becoming a central pillar in the race to build the next version of the internet.
Instead of transmitting particles or signals through wires or airwaves, this process transfers the quantum state of a particle from one place to another, instantly and without physically moving the particle itself.
It works by leveraging quantum entanglement, a phenomenon where two particles become so deeply connected that the state of one instantly affects the other, no matter how far apart they are.
In a significant step toward building a scalable quantum internet, researchers at Nanjing University have demonstrated quantum teleportation of a telecom-wavelength photonic qubit to a solid-state quantum memory.
This marks the first time such a feat has been achieved using telecom-compatible equipment, offering a path to integrate quantum networks with today’s communication infrastructure.
Led by senior author Xiao-Song Ma, the team successfully transferred quantum information from a photon to a solid-state memory based on erbium ion ensembles.
Unlike earlier teleportation efforts that relied on frequency conversion, this experiment operated entirely in the telecom band, the same range used in conventional fiber-optic communication.
“Quantum teleportation is always a fascinating protocol in quantum communication for its ability to transfer quantum states without ever revealing,” Ma told Phys.org.
The goal was to integrate a solid-state memory with the teleportation process, enabling temporary storage of quantum states for long-distance transmission.
In quantum networks, such memory units are vital for distributing entanglement and ensuring stable communication across large distances.
“To extend the state transmission distance further, the incorporation of quantum memory into a quantum teleportation system is of critical importance,” Ma said.
Quantum networks function with the help of repeaters, which divide long links into smaller sections.
By placing quantum memories at these endpoints, information can be stored until entanglement is established across all links, forming the backbone of a future quantum internet.
Ma’s team deployed five interconnected systems to pull off the experiment.
These included input state preparation, an entangled photon source (EPR-source) created on an integrated photonic chip, a Bell-state measurement module, and the erbium-based quantum memory.
They also employed a frequency distribution and fine-tuning setup using a Fabry-Pérot cavity and the Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH) technique for precise signal alignment.
“Our study demonstrated the quantum teleportation from telecom photons to a solid-state quantum memory based on erbium ions for the first time,” Ma said. “Our entire system uses components compatible with existing fiber networks perfectly.”
That compatibility is a major milestone.
Most prior systems required converting signals to different frequencies, limiting real-world deployment.
By staying in the telecom band, this setup works seamlessly with today’s infrastructure.
“This telecom-compatible platform for generating, storing and processing quantum states of light establishes a highly promising approach to large-scale quantum networks,” Ma added.
The team now plans to refine the solid-state memory system.
Their next focus includes extending storage duration and boosting the efficiency of data retention, both critical for practical quantum networking.
With this breakthrough, the road to a functional quantum internet just became clearer and more fiber-ready.
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