This was achieved by researchers in the US, who successfully transmitted this quantum information through more than 30 kilometers (about 18 miles) of fiber optic cable while regular internet traffic was also flowing through the same lines.
Quantum teleportation is a process where the properties of a quantum object (like a photon, which is a particle of light) are transferred from one location to another without moving the object itself.
Imagine it like sending a message that recreates the original object at a different place while destroying the original in the process. This concept might sound like science fiction, similar to the teleportation seen in “Star Trek,” but it relies on complex principles of quantum mechanics.
To achieve this feat, researchers had to carefully manage how light interacts with other signals traveling through the fiber optic cables. They developed techniques to minimize interference from regular internet data, ensuring that the delicate quantum state of the photon remained intact during transmission. This involved placing the photons in specific positions within the fiber to reduce scattering and mixing with other light waves.
RESEARCH PAPER
Jordan M. Thomas, Fei I. Yeh, Jim Hao Chen, Joe J. Mambretti, Scott J. Kohlert, Gregory S. Kanter, and Prem Kumar, “Quantum teleportation coexisting with classical communications in optical fiber,” Optica 11, 1700-1707 (2024)