Scientists have discovered a new way of sending tangled photons in such a way that they can observe directly and immediately if there is any sort of interference between the two. This is called quantum entanglement. And it is a breakthrough discovery that is a step forward in the evolution of cryptography and information transmission from end to end stations.
Quantum Entanglement – Definition and Explanation
Quantum entanglement was up until recently a sort of anomaly as far as standard physics is concerned. The bedrock rules are: nothing can travel faster than light and objects are only influenced by their immediate surroundings.
However, quantum entanglement breaks these rules because recent experiments have shown that it is possible to create entangled photons on a satellite orbiting 300 miles above Earth. And then sending them to two ground-based labs separated by 750 miles. Without losing the linkage of the entangled photons. This is a breakthrough because no one was able to produce quantum entanglement in space and be able to maintain it through the entire course of information transmission.
Jian-Wei Pan, a physicist at the University of Science and Technology of China in Shanghai, is the lead scientist behind this operation. His work can lead to better, faster and secure information sharing between two points. This, without the possibility of interfering with the said information.
“It’s a really stunning achievement, and I think it’s going to be the first of possibly many such interesting and exciting studies that this particular satellite will open up” (Shohini Ghose, a physicist at Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada)
Of course, there are still yet to be known factors, such as “how is quantum entanglement possible?”. And, out of 6 million photons, only 1 photon could be recovered. This in itself is still more promising that nothing. Ultimately, further research and the evolution of technology will lead to ways of understanding quantum entanglement. Then, to the means of creating it and harnessing its capabilities.
Image Source: Flickr
Roxanne Briean
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