Chinese discoveries bring quantum devices into practice

A tenfold leap in a key aspect of quantum communication is one of the latest breakthroughs by Chinese research teams, with huge implications for the future of computing and communications.

Quantum communication systems transmit information using quantum bits: particles in two states until they appear. If the enemy sees these qubits – that is, if they hate the message – they lose this “superstition” feature. The data you carry is lost and as a bonus, hacking is easily detected. (Imagine dropping a cup into a stream of water; any experiment leaves a trace.) But the intended receivers can interpret the information because something called a quantum key is sent. The inability to transmit these keys sufficiently has been a bottleneck in practical quantum communication.

Now he has a group of Chinese scientists at the University of Science and Technology of China reported One discovery: a tenfold increase in the rate of stable quantum-key distribution. It is led by a decorated USTC researcher. Pan Jianwe and MIT-educated Xu FeihuThe team was able to push 115.8 megabytes per second of encrypted data over a 10 kilometer fiber optic channel, more than ten times the previous record of 10 megabytes per second. This breakthrough allows systems to handle much more data, larger files, and more users.

Another challenge for quantum systems, however, is that increasing distance or bandwidth can introduce large amounts of errors and inconsistencies. This is the result delicate The superposition of qubits, which repeatedly introduces unacceptable Error rates and computational bottlenecks. Although these may be errors It has been fixed By using more qubits, this requires more computing power. It can even introduce more errors; The adjustable quilts themselves are also delicate.

However, another Chinese team led by Yu Dapeng of the Shenzhen Institute of Quantum Science and Engineering and researchers from Tsinghua and Fuzhou universities is making progress on this problem. In March, the group announced A new system for real-time error correction in quantum systems. Their approach corrects the additional error potential of additional qubits, improves data storage stability and requires fewer resources, allowing quantum systems to become a net-positive reality for resource intensity.

Beyond quantum interactions

These findings come as part of Beijing’s broader push to dominate quantum technologies and have many national security implications. Applications They promise beyond communication methods that expose any hacking attempt. Quantum computers can solve complex problems. Calculations It seamlessly breaks most current encryption in milliseconds that would normally take computers trillions of years to solve, pushing machine learning and AI to new levels, complex simulations and predictions, and scientific R&D in fields from chemistry to synthetic biology.

The PLA’s interest in such areas and its quantum work at the University of Science and Technology of China in In 2012, the university signed a strategic partnership. Agreement with PLA National University of Defense Technology regarding quantum computing research. The signing ceremony was attended by the aforementioned Pan Jianwei and Major General Yang Shujun. The university also has cooperation. Agreement A deal has also been reached with AVC, a Chinese state-owned mega-conglomerate that produces platforms for the PLA Air Force. Yale, Cambridgeand other international organizations.

according to Assumptions The Chinese government has invested at least $25 billion in the field of global quantum intelligence. According to 2022, a lot will go to quantum laboratories Report From the RAND Corporation: $1.06 billion in 2017 and an additional $2.95 billion by 2022. The Chinese government has also supported private businesses. Pan JianweGroup leader for quantum communication discovery; established Quantum Technology Company in 2009. In 2020, the company received. Financial support From state-owned China Telecom to deploy quantum-encoded communication lines in 15 Chinese provinces.

These investments are now paying off. In addition to the above discoveries, China has also led major breakthroughs in supercooling and light-based quantum processors.

Don’t panic

Still, the threat of Chinese “quantum supremacy” must be tempered by the realities and challenges of this new space. For example, the N.S.A He identified five technical barriers to implementing quantum cryptography in the US national security system. First, while quantum cryptography prevents eavesdropping, there is no way to verify the sender of secure data. Second, quantum interfaces require specialized equipment that cannot be integrated into existing infrastructure and cannot be modified or patched. Third, the integrity nature of encrypted data means that insider threats become more valuable to malicious actors. Fourth, quantum communication devices have very little tolerance for errors. Five, this sensitivity makes denial of service in quantum communication systems more effective than in traditional communication networks.

Perhaps most importantly, the NSA has poured some cold water on quantum code-breaking. Although quantum computers can crack most encryption, they cannot crack all. “Quantum-resistant algorithms” can survive attempts by quantum computers to decipher codes, and they are much cheaper to deploy on existing systems than to completely design a security communications infrastructure. Their deployment is currently being managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology announced The first team to win the quantum-resistant cryptography competition last year.

So while the new quantum computing, cryptography and communications may bring some major changes, they are still a long way from being fully realized. Still, recent discoveries by Chinese scientists represent both major breakthroughs and further signs that the road to the quantum age may pass through Beijing.

Thomas Corbett is a research analyst with BluePath Labs. Areas of focus include China’s foreign relations, emerging technology, and Indo-Pacific security studies.