quantum communication

Researchers have run a quantum computer in space for the first time, marking a milestone in quantum technology beyond Earth. The demonstration suggests quantum computing and communication systems could one day operate aboard satellites, where conditions differ sharply from ground-based laboratories. Scientists say the achievement could pave the way for space-based quantum networks and new experiments impossible on Earth, though details of the mission and hardware remain limited.

UCLA has been awarded $75 million in grants from the National Science Foundation to advance quantum technology research. The funding will support the university's work in quantum science, an area seen as key to future computing, communications and sensing. The announcement was reported by the Daily Bruin, the university's student newspaper.

Researchers report a quantum memory that has stored single photons for a record length of time, a result described as a major step towards building a quantum internet. Long-lived storage of individual light particles is a key requirement for quantum repeaters, the devices needed to send entangled signals across continental distances. The achievement is drawing attention as a milestone in quantum communication research.

Researchers at Nanjing University report an advance in quantum key distribution, achieving boosted key rates for networks serving three users simultaneously. The work targets practical multi-user quantum communication, where distributing secure keys to several parties at once has so far limited performance. Higher key rates could make quantum-secured communication networks more viable for real-world deployment.

A quantum communication link has been shown operating over fiber optic cable already carrying 400G Ethernet and 5G traffic, demonstrating that quantum networking can coexist with conventional high-capacity telecommunications on deployed infrastructure rather than requiring dedicated lines. This points to a cheaper path for integrating quantum-secure communications into existing networks.