US researchers achieve major breakthrough in quantum data transmission through open air

In a breakthrough, researchers at Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory transmitted information through the open air across 13 miles-a major milestone toward adding wireless links to New York’s pioneering quantum communication network.

The experiment primarily sends quanta of light from Stony Brook’s Quantum Watchtower to Brookhaven’s Quantum Lighthouse in Upton and helps connect future quantum computers beyond the limits of fibre-optic cables.

The experiment was initiated by using a laser to generate quantum states of light containing just a few photons. It was observed that the particles left a light-guiding region about 5 micrometers wide, which is less than one-tenth the width of a human hair.

The current network footprint is 161 miles and connects eight nodes across multiple institutions on Long Island and in New York City.

According to Stony Brook President Andrea Goldsmith, combining the wireless link with a metropolitan fiber network represents a major breakthrough toward a quantum internet of things to secure encrypted communication. Regarding the test, Lab Director, Brookhaven John Hill said it is a major effort to scale quantum networks for communications and sensing.

Nonetheless, state officials maintained that quantum networking could support research, health care and sustainable super-computing at Stony Brook and Brookhaven so they can conduct shared scientific investigations on a larger scale.