The Quantum Internet, Pt. 8

Instead of bits, a quantum internet would use qubits. Qubits can be in many states at once (superposition) and be linked across any distance.

Entanglement is when groups or pairs of particles are made or interact so that each particle cannot be described separately from the others, even if they are far apart. This means that with a quantum internet you could do things that are not possible on a classical network like secure communication through Quantum Key Distribution (QKD).

Communication channels can be secured using QKD which exploits certain principles in quantum mechanics that ensures all efforts to listen in will be noticed by sender/receiver. This is because measurements disturb systems, thus an eavesdropper will always have disturbed information about system’s state which reveals their presence. In principle this could render communication completely impervious to interception.

Constructing such an advanced system poses several challenges due its delicacy; it’s well known fact that decoherence caused by interactions with environment often destroys information contained in qubit therefore integrity must be preserved while transmitting over long distances necessitating employment of different devices like quantum repeaters designed specifically for this task also amplifiers should regenerate signal along communication chain thus increasing area within which secure transmission becomes feasible.

Efficient creation of these devices has been identified as one key limiting factors towards realization scalable quantum networks however given fragility associated with qubits storing them accurately over long enough time period necessary relay without affecting their states remains major technological challenge.

A working quantum internet would have enormous implications; it could provide completely secure communications connect together multiple machines thereby boosting their computational power and abilities as well enable various kinds of quantum sensing and metrology applications besides this on larger scale cryptography among others would greatly benefit from such a development.

The quantum internet is an exciting new field that could change the way we think about networking with computers. Although there are many problems to be solved, this technology will greatly improve safety and efficiency in our digital lives. Scientists are getting closer everyday but until they fully understand everything about atoms and how they work together like building blocks then only then can dreams become reality for example having networks where information travels at speed light between devices located opposite ends planet might not seem so far away anymore.