Physicists at the University of Bath have developed a new generation of specialised optical fibre designed to meet the future data transfer demands of the quantum computing era.
These optical fibres address the limitations of current cable networks, which are expected to be insufficient for quantum communications.
Quantum technology revolutionizes data transmission
Quantum technology promises to provide unprecedented computing power, solve complex problems, develop new medicines, and provide unbreakable encryption for secure communications.
However, the traditional solid-core optical fibers used in communications today are not optimized for quantum communication systems.
The innovative specialty fibre created in Bath features a microstructured core with an intricate pattern of air pockets along the entire length of the fibre.
This design is crucial for compatibility with the operating wavelengths of single-photon sources, qubits, and other active optical components that are essential for light-based quantum technologies.
Dr Kristina Rusimova, from the School of Physics at the University of Bath, highlighted the importance of these advances: “Conventional optical fibres in use today transmit light at wavelengths determined by the losses in silica glass.
“These wavelengths are not compatible with the operating wavelengths required for light-based quantum technologies.”
The Bass research team is at the forefront of optical fiber design and manufacturing, laying the groundwork for future data transmission needs. Their work highlights the need for the development of new optical fibers tailored for quantum computing applications.
Harnessing the power of quantum entanglement
Light, and particularly photons, serves as a promising medium for quantum computing due to its unique quantum properties.
Quantum entanglement, which allows two photons to instantly affect each other’s properties, allows entangled photons to exist as both 1 and 0 simultaneously, vastly increasing computational power.
Dr Cameron McCurry, a former physicist at the University of Bath and lead author of the paper, highlighted the important role that a quantum internet will play in realising the potential of quantum technology.
“The quantum internet will rely on optical fibres to transmit information from node to node, but these optical fibres will be fundamentally different from those used today,” he said.
A Scalable Solution for Quantum Networks
The researchers described the challenges of a quantum internet and proposed potential solutions for building a robust, scalable quantum network.
This includes optical fibre for long distance communications, as well as specialised fibre integrated with quantum repeaters to extend the technology’s operational range.
Specialized optical fibers can not only connect network nodes, but also facilitate quantum computing at the nodes themselves.
These fibres could act as sources of entangled single photons, quantum wavelength converters, low-loss switches or quantum memory containers.
Dr McCurley explained that the unique microstructured core of Bath’s specialist fibres makes it possible to manipulate the properties of light, including creating entangled photons, changing the colour of photons and trapping individual atoms.
Dr Alex Davies, EPSRC Quantum Carriers Acceleration Fellow at the University of Bath, added: “Fiber’s ability to tightly confine light and transport it over long distances is incredibly useful.
“This capability enables us to generate entangled photons and create more exotic quantum states of light for applications such as quantum computing, high-precision sensing and secure message encryption.”
Laying the foundations for tomorrow’s quantum computers
The technical challenges identified by the Bath researchers will open up new avenues of quantum research and bring us closer to achieving quantum supremacy – the ability of quantum devices to outperform classical computers.
The innovative optical fibre developed in Bath is expected to play a pivotal role in the evolution of quantum computing and lay the foundations for future progress in this transformative field.
