Researchers at Stony Brook University and Brookhaven National Laboratory recently achieved a significant milestone in communication technology. By successfully transmitting light particles that contain quantum information, the team moved closer to extending the reach of the nation’s longest quantum network. This work relies on specialized transmission points that the researchers describe as quantum lighthouses.
The project aims to connect complex quantum computers across the country to address major scientific challenges. The team used a laser to generate quantum states of light, sending signals between a rooftop device at Stony Brook’s Health Science Center and a receiving camera thirteen miles away at Brookhaven National Laboratory. This transmission utilized optical fiber thinner than a human hair and line of sight beams.
Beyond basic data transmission, the researchers have progressed to using entangled photons. These pairs of light particles maintain a link dictated by the laws of quantum mechanics, allowing for more advanced information exchange. This effort represents a move toward sustained wireless quantum data transfer between institutions.
Department of Energy Under Secretary for Science Dr. Darío Gil emphasized the importance of connecting individual quantum devices, noting that the future of the field depends on this integration. Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith stated that this initiative transforms secure data transmission while establishing the region as a hub for scientific innovation. Future plans include expanding this network across the Long Island Sound to Yale University.