A bridge to the quantum world: taking a step towards a ‘quantum internet’

Entanglement created using mechanical oscillation — described by researchers as ‘a prototype quantum link’ — is a step towards a ‘quantum internet.’

Physicists from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (IST Austria) developed a method of using a mechanical oscillator to produce to create entangled radiation. This method could prove to be extremely useful in the development of mechanisms to connect quantum computers.

This is an illustration of a prototype of what may, in the future, serve as a link to connect quantum computers. ( IST Austria/Philip Krantz, Krantz NanoArt)

Entanglement is a phenomenon typical of the quantum world, not present in the so-called classical world the so-called “classical world” we see around us on a day-to-day basis.

When two particles are entangled, the characteristics of one particle can be created by the observation of the state of its entangled partner. This means that even if the particles are separated by a distance equivalent to the universe itself, one particle instantly adopts a state that reflects the state of its distant partner.