New Optical Fibers Bring Quantum Tech One Step Closer
Physicists at the University of Bath in the UK have developed a new generation of specialty optical fibers designed to meet the future challenges of data transfer in the age of quantum computing. These innovative fibers feature a micro-structured core with a complex pattern of air pockets along their length, a significant departure from the solid cores used in traditional optical fibers.
Traditional optical fibers, which form the backbone of current telecommunications networks, transmit light at wavelengths determined by the loss properties of silica glass. However, these wavelengths are incompatible with the operational wavelengths required for quantum technologies, such as single-photon sources and qubits. The team specifically designed the new fibers to accommodate these unique requirements.
These fibers are at the forefront of research efforts to support the anticipated rise of quantum technologies, which promise to revolutionize fields ranging from cryptography to medicine.
Quantum technology uses light as a medium for quantum computation. Photons, the particles of light, exhibit quantum properties that we can use for computational power. One such property is quantum entanglement, where two photons can remain connected over large distances, instantaneously influencing each other’s states. This characteristic enables the development of quantum systems that far exceed the computational power of classical computers.
Dr. Kristina Rusimova and her colleagues published their findings in Applied Physics Letters Quantum.
