Recent studies carried out by European and Russian scientists have shown that the movement of quantum and classical information can successfully coexist within the boundaries of the same fiber-optic data transmission lines. This makes it possible in the future for a gradual transition from the familiar Internet to a network based on elementary particle paradoxes, a quantum Internet network.
Speeding Up Research
In the computer industry, a coup is brewing. Physicists at the University of Pennsylvania said four standard silicon chips would reach their limit in four years. Reducing them further will not be possible, so ordinary computers have little time left to live.
They will be replaced by fundamentally new technologies, quantum computers. Instead of chips will be elementary particles. This makes it possible to drastically reduce the size and increase productivity. So far, these prototypes are no faster than a weak computer, but this is just a matter of time. In turn, using the most powerful potential, it will be possible to more quickly solve problems and difficulties in introducing a fundamentally new, quantum Internet.
The mysteries of quantum internet
How does quantum internet work? What is it and what is its essence? The difference is that it is based on the laws of quantum mechanics. It was perceived by scientists as a hot, harsh area that can be used to describe phenomena that are not fully understood. One of them is the photoelectric effect.
The paradoxes of quantum physics in the service of humanity
Today it’s clear: in our near future will enter such a thing as quantum Internet. What can it bring us or how will it be? Perhaps this will be another leap, similar to the introduction of semiconductor transistors in the past.
Its principle is based on the property of superposition and quantum entanglement. It does not have a definite spin and when measuring one, the second shows the opposite. For a more complete understanding, this means that each elementary particle that carries information is invisibly connected with its "entangled" pair. Moreover, the distance between them does not play any role, information is transmitted instantly.
Using these abnormal laws, great opportunities are opened in speed and confidentiality of data transmission. It is impossible to intercept information sent in this way without being noticed: any reading leaves traces, or destroys the original information.
Speed is faster than thought
As for the latest data on the measurement of data transfer speed, they amaze our imagination. It exceeds the speed of light by ten thousand times. But, most likely, scientists in the future will find that the signal transmission speed is much higher than previously determined, such is the quantum Internet. What does it mean? What can this give us? Perhaps the transmission of signals to previously unimaginable distances in space and new discoveries.
New technologies in photons
In the technology of converting photons into a storage medium, Russian scientists have found the use of artificially grown crystals, namely diamonds.
It turns out that when light passes through crystals, it acquires the property of a liquid and begins to form drops, vortices, waves. It can be sent through any channels. In general, it behaves like a liquid. Including it can spread at a very slow speed or even stop.
This is very interesting on the one hand and very important because it allows you to manipulate the light and do whatever you like, including getting a phenomenon such as a quantum Internet. This allows it to be used as an information transfer agent. Now its main carrier is an electric charge. But this is an imperfect object. Therefore, any movement or acceleration of an electric charge leads to the loss of energy, which goes into the environment and heats the processor and chip elements.
The Internet in itself costs mankind more than 5% of the energy it produces. Therefore, the replacement of an electron with photons in an ideal embodiment will lead to a reduction in the loss of an enormous amount of energy. Accordingly, the cost of the Internet itself will fall.
Quantum Internet in Russia
The work in Russia on quantum Internet is unique. Despite the small funding and all sorts of obstacles, scientists have conducted enough experiments and have achieved a virtually leading position in this area.
As a result, it was possible to create a unique, high-level institution. It combines experimental and theoretical groups, as well as applied research. This institute is funded partly by Gazprombank, partly by the state in various forms. In any case, this is the example that Russian science should follow without stopping at anything.
We conquer new territories
At the current stage of the development of quantum Internet, only data protection technologies using quantum cryptography can be called. Such networks today are fairly simple point-to-point connections. Scientists strive to create collaborative solutions based on which various channels and encryption methods are combined.
If you follow the implementation of the idea, then the results of Russian researchers will be more significant. One example is a single-photon emitter detector developed at the Kurchatov Institute.
For the existence of such a discovery as a quantum Internet, scientists need to solve the difficulties of combining special equipment for quantum data transmission and telecommunications networks existing today.
The main issues lie in the switching solution and signal amplification. If you send information based on a quantum, via standard optical fiber, then it will not pass through the regenerator. Therefore, one of the solutions is the transformation of the signal into electrical and then return to its original position.
Today, the limit is three hundred kilometers. This is the distance at which regeneration of the optical signal is necessary. You also need a prototype quantum switch. The total amount of problematic problems can be solved only within ten years. Nevertheless, in scientific circles they argue about the possibility of "saddling" the quantum Internet. What can it bring and how can it help? Today there is no definite answer, but solving the issue of introducing and bringing such technologies to an ordinary resident will definitely increase his quality of life and safety.
A new era is coming
Today, China has set an ambitious project to transmit over a quantum network of 1,200 kilometers using a satellite.
At the moment, a maximum distance of one hundred kilometers has been reached. Scientists have developed how to protect the signal from the effects of meteorological conditions. However, this sensation is rather associated not with teleportation, which is increasing every year, but with quantum cryptography, in other words, a new data encryption system.
There is no way to crack a quantum code, or rather, when it is cracked, information is lost. In the cyber war era, this means invulnerability. Quantum cryptography has long been used by those who seek security guarantees. As, for example, several years ago, Swiss banks began to exchange data about their customers through a quantum network. Today they are limited by a distance of several tens of kilometers. The Russian quantum center is preparing to introduce the same system, as well as to master the transmission of a quantum signal through a space satellite.
Implementation and implementation
And at this time in St. Petersburg between the two buildings of the university in Russia launched the first quantum Internet network.
Information is transmitted using the laws of quantum physics. The smartest corporations and governments are now investing in this area. Future information transfer technology is being implemented on the basis of the existing one. Fiber optic cable, a familiar computer, but a new router and photon generator.
The existence of the new Internet begins with a laser, where the source of single photons is located. They have a good property in order to transmit information in a secure way. A single photon cannot be divided. The key is formed in such a way that reading is not possible. To turn a photon into a storage medium, the system changes its state, the phase of the oscillation of the pulse wave. Today, the level of development of quantum technology is comparable to what mobile communications looked like thirty years ago, another five to ten years will pass and photon quanta will be able to give us a secure information Internet.
Quantum Internet in Kazan
A quantum Internet network has been launched in Tatarstan; its experimental site is in Kazan. This program is an important achievement in the development of quantum communications in Russia. According to scientists, she is absolutely invulnerable to hacker attacks.
Today, the protection of our Internet network is based on the encryption of mathematical algorithms, but even the most complex code can be cracked. The more powerful the computing abilities of hackers, the easier and faster to calculate the encryption algorithm.
The technology described in this article will become a new network security framework. Quantum Internet in Kazan will be combined into four nodes at a distance of 30-40 kilometers from each other. The cost of picking between two points is about one hundred thousand dollars. At the experimental site, the network showed a speed of quantum Internet of 117 kb / s with a distance of two and a half kilometers. This result is an order of magnitude higher than in European trials. On the network, the transmission loss of quantum bits in the optical channel was twenty dB. This is equivalent to a line length of one hundred kilometers.
It is worth noting that the current line of the telecommunication infrastructure network Tattelecom is involved in this project.
The network will connect cities
In 2017, it is planned to start a project to introduce a new technology. Quantum Internet in Tatarstan will allow connecting offices in various cities. This is one of the most important tasks that the Kazan Quantum Center KNITU-KAI and its leader set for themselves. Watching their successes, it is no doubt believed that it will be so.