quantum internet

As a push to quantum computing, the technology world is soon going to witness the power of quantum internet. This advanced technology will enable quantum devices to deliver incredible results in terms of privacy and security and computational power to solve complex problems that were unanswerable till now. 

This is great news for companies and countries who have been laying the groundwork for quantum internet as so far they could only connect two quantum devices. Thanks to the physicists at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands, that’s going to change. 

“This is the first time a network has been constructed from quantum processors”, said Ronald Hanson in an interview. “A single direct link between two processors has been shown in many platforms in the past decade, but no network had been achieved”, added the lead author.

The Emergence Of Quantum Internet 

Compared to a traditional computer, quantum computing can perform powerful processing at a hundred million times more speed. It is capable of processing every problem simultaneously. Now imagine the power of multiple such quantum devices connected via quantum internet. According to experts, this can answer some of the most challenging questions like reversing climate change, curing diseases, and security. 

The network created by Hanson and his teams is taking the tech world one step closer to a quantum internet. While it is not 100% ready, the network can demonstrate how quantum devices can communicate with each other from great distances to create a functioning quantum internet network. 

“With this first network now achieved, we can start to use it as a unique testbed for quantum internet development”, stated Hanson. “We will work on enhancing its functionality by increasing performance and increasing the number of qubits in the processors.” 

Like how classical computers work on bits, quantum computers work on quantum bits or Qubits. So more qubits mean more computing power. But there is one limitation to this power. Classical computers have error correction techniques and because of that, multiple copies of data can be stored. But quantum computers cannot store multiple copies. Once an error happens, the entire thing is flawed. So how can one address errors? 

One way to solve this issue is by thinking of new ways to build quantum computers. This new method will include replacing existing materials with better compatible materials and developing techniques to implement new materials into the hardware. 

Solving this material problem will require collaboration from all the disciplines. While quantum computing began as an interdisciplinary effort, connected to computer science, information science, and quantum physics, this is the time to expand the field with new collaborations and partnerships to solve the limitations. With this attempt, quantum computers connected via the quantum internet will become a 100% reality.