Complex Quantum Teleportation Achieved For the First Time (phys.org) 17
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Phys.Org: Researchers from the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the University of Vienna have experimentally demonstrated what was previously only a theoretical possibility. Together with quantum physicists from the University of Science and Technology of China, they have succeeded in teleporting complex high-dimensional quantum states. The research teams report this international first in the journal Physical Review Letters. In their study, the researchers teleported the quantum state of one photon (light particle) to another distant one. Previously, only two-level states ("qubits") had been transmitted, i.e., information with values "0" or "1". However, the scientists succeeded in teleporting a three-level state, a so-called "qutrit." In quantum physics, unlike in classical computer science, "0" and "1" are not an 'either/or' -- both simultaneously, or anything in between, is also possible. The Austrian-Chinese team has now demonstrated this in practice with a third possibility "2".
The quantum state to be teleported is encoded in the possible paths a photon can take. One can picture these paths as three optical fibers. Most interestingly, in quantum physics a single photon can also be located in all three optical fibers at the same time. To teleport this three-dimensional quantum state, the researchers used a new experimental method. The core of quantum teleportation is the so-called Bell measurement. It is based on a multiport beam splitter, which directs photons through several inputs and outputs and connects all optical fibers together. In addition, the scientists used auxiliary photons -- these are also sent into the multiple beam splitter and can interfere with the other photons. Through clever selection of certain interference patterns, the quantum information can be transferred to another photon far from the input photon, without the two ever physically interacting. The experimental concept is not limited to three dimensions, but can in principle be extended to any number of dimensions, as Erhard emphasizes.
The quantum state to be teleported is encoded in the possible paths a photon can take. One can picture these paths as three optical fibers. Most interestingly, in quantum physics a single photon can also be located in all three optical fibers at the same time. To teleport this three-dimensional quantum state, the researchers used a new experimental method. The core of quantum teleportation is the so-called Bell measurement. It is based on a multiport beam splitter, which directs photons through several inputs and outputs and connects all optical fibers together. In addition, the scientists used auxiliary photons -- these are also sent into the multiple beam splitter and can interfere with the other photons. Through clever selection of certain interference patterns, the quantum information can be transferred to another photon far from the input photon, without the two ever physically interacting. The experimental concept is not limited to three dimensions, but can in principle be extended to any number of dimensions, as Erhard emphasizes.
So cool! (Score:1, Redundant)
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"Beam me up scotty!"
I'd prefer:
"Beam my cancer and senescent cells out of my body, Doctor Scott.
And don't forget the microplastics and heavy metals."
Can you explain this and its significance? (Score:2)
Re: Can you explain this and its significance? (Score:5, Insightful)
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Re: Can you explain this and its significance? (Score:2)
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Right, it's essentially an Ansible from Card's Ender's Game series.
Re: Can you explain this and its significance? (Score:2)
Re:Can you explain this and its significance? (Score:5, Funny)
Can anyone help describe what sort of technology a breakthrough such as this will create?
This dovetails perfectly with the patent that I have just been granted for:
"A Method and Process for Transforming Living Human Beings into Complex High-dimensional Quantum States."
The Australian scientists and I could begin really soon now with some initial tests transporting some kangaroos from the Ice Caves in Werfen, Nude South Wales.
If successful, we would continue the trials with the von Trapp singing children from their family villa in Salzburg, Tasmania.
The Tasmanian Devils will be happy to see the kids go, because their singing creates such an awful racket.
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If a photon is in a down-state in Canberra, wouldn't that be an up-state in Cornwall? [*scratching chin*]
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If a photon is in a down-state in Canberra, wouldn't that be an up-state in Cornwall? [*scratching chin*]
You need to use the empirical approach here . . . toss them both into the toilet, flush it, and see which direction they turn.
Bottersnikes & Gumbels, indeed.
. . . and can somebody stop that Kookaburra from laughing in the background?
Otherwise, I will retreat into "The Dream Time"
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No. And neither could anyone back early 1900s when quantum theory was developed. Neither could anyone tell you how a theory of gravity would determine how your GPS could work. The pioneers of electric theory couldn't tell you squat about how it would be used.
Science for its own sake. We're inventive. Sooner or later we'll find a use. It is, of course, hard to find a use for something you were too stupid enough to invest the time, resources, and intellectual capital for which to develop the fundamental theor
Wait a minute... (Score:3, Funny)
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