Engineers achieve quantum teleportation over active internet cables

[DaveyWavey02]

To be honest, I have read the research paper and I'm still confused on what this breakthrough actually means.

Quantum entangled particles (the photons used in this case) transmit information over vast distances without needing direct data transfer.

What exactly is the optical fiber cable for? And why would you want to have these quantum entangled photons present in the optical fiber cable when the information is transferred from one system to the other without the need for physically transporting the particles?

 

[Endymio]

What exactly is the optical fiber cable for? And why would you want to have these quantum entangled photons present in the optical fiber cable when the information is transferred from one system to the other without the need for physically transporting the particles?

The particles still need to be physically transported -- it's the information that is quantum teleported:

1) Entangle particles A and B
2) Transport B to remote location
3) Perform a measurement on A, teleporting its (complementary) state to B.

The distinction may be a rather sterile one for anyone besides physicists, except for one thing -- you can't eavesdrop on quantum communications. Any measurement, no matter how small, disturbs the system.

 

[DaveyWavey02]

The particles still need to be physically transported -- it's the information that is quantum teleported:

1) Entangle particles A and B
2) Transport B to remote location
3) Perform a measurement on A, teleporting its (complementary) state to B.

The distinction may be a rather sterile one for anyone besides physicists, except for one thing -- you can't eavesdrop on quantum communications. Any measurement, no matter how small, disturbs the system.

That makes sense. It was my initial thought. Having some medium to house or transport the photos in is necessary, from where the measurements could be made.

This made me think, this in turn opens up a ton of new issues.

To actually achieve valuable communication between particle A and B, we would need to be able to effectively manipulate the state of A while in that same instant measuring the syaye of B. Then again, measuring the state of B could chamge the state of B and in turn change the state of A again.

Also, "eavesdropping" on quantum communication disturbs it, meaning it would be very easy to corrupt or disturb the quality of a sent communication over quantum teleportation. Doesn't this pose it's own risks?