<p>New Delhi: In a new research, quantum messages were successfully sent over 250 kilometres of regular telecommunications network, suggesting a method for quantum-communication technology can be implemented in real-world settings.</p>.<p>Published in the journal Nature, the study documents the first instance of quantum communications using existing, commercially available telecommunication infrastructure. Researchers from Toshiba Europe Limited, UK, suggested that quantum communications -- which makes use of principles of quantum physics to transmit information -- can be achieved in real-world conditions.</p>.<p>The system of communication, such as a quantum internet, is seen as promising for enabling a safer, secure way of transmitting information.</p>.<p>One of the techniques employed to transmit information in quantum network is 'quantum key distribution'. It involves two qubits -- one qubit is a fundamental unit of information -- which are entangled in a way that the code required to break their link is shared only between the two.</p>.<p>The researchers explained that by exploiting the property of 'coherence' of light, in which waves of light interact with each other in a predictable pattern, a quantum network can be expanded to cover a wider area.</p>.<p>However, this scalability has been limited by the need for specialised equipment, such as cryogenic coolers, for maintaining an absolute zero Kelvin (or -273 degrees Celsius) temperature, they said.</p>.<p>In this research paper, the authors describe an approach that allows quantum information to be transmitted through commercially available optical fibres, without the need for cryogenic cooling.</p>.<p>The quantum communications system developed by the team was deployed over three telecommunication data centres in Germany -- Frankfurt, Kehl and Kirchfeld -- connected by 254 kilometres of commercial optical fibre cables.</p>.<p>"We deployed our system across three data centres in Germany, spanning from Frankfurt to Kehl, that were connected by 254 kilometres of optical fibre," the authors wrote.</p>.<p>Existing telecommunications infrastructure was used for "achieving real-world, practical quantum key distribution over a long distance," they wrote.</p>.<p>The findings show that "coherent quantum-communication technology can be implemented in real-world settings and have useful applications," the team said. </p>
<p>New Delhi: In a new research, quantum messages were successfully sent over 250 kilometres of regular telecommunications network, suggesting a method for quantum-communication technology can be implemented in real-world settings.</p>.<p>Published in the journal Nature, the study documents the first instance of quantum communications using existing, commercially available telecommunication infrastructure. Researchers from Toshiba Europe Limited, UK, suggested that quantum communications -- which makes use of principles of quantum physics to transmit information -- can be achieved in real-world conditions.</p>.<p>The system of communication, such as a quantum internet, is seen as promising for enabling a safer, secure way of transmitting information.</p>.<p>One of the techniques employed to transmit information in quantum network is 'quantum key distribution'. It involves two qubits -- one qubit is a fundamental unit of information -- which are entangled in a way that the code required to break their link is shared only between the two.</p>.<p>The researchers explained that by exploiting the property of 'coherence' of light, in which waves of light interact with each other in a predictable pattern, a quantum network can be expanded to cover a wider area.</p>.<p>However, this scalability has been limited by the need for specialised equipment, such as cryogenic coolers, for maintaining an absolute zero Kelvin (or -273 degrees Celsius) temperature, they said.</p>.<p>In this research paper, the authors describe an approach that allows quantum information to be transmitted through commercially available optical fibres, without the need for cryogenic cooling.</p>.<p>The quantum communications system developed by the team was deployed over three telecommunication data centres in Germany -- Frankfurt, Kehl and Kirchfeld -- connected by 254 kilometres of commercial optical fibre cables.</p>.<p>"We deployed our system across three data centres in Germany, spanning from Frankfurt to Kehl, that were connected by 254 kilometres of optical fibre," the authors wrote.</p>.<p>Existing telecommunications infrastructure was used for "achieving real-world, practical quantum key distribution over a long distance," they wrote.</p>.<p>The findings show that "coherent quantum-communication technology can be implemented in real-world settings and have useful applications," the team said. </p>