Physicists at the University of Bath have developed a new generation of speciality optical fibres designed to meet the future demands of data transfer in the age of quantum computing.
These optical fibres address the limitations of current cable networks, which are expected to be inadequate for quantum communications.
Revolutionising data transmission with quantum technologies
Quantum technologies promise unprecedented computational power, solving complex problems, developing new medicines, and providing unbreakable cryptographic techniques for secure communications.
However, traditional solid-core optical fibres used in today’s telecommunications are not optimised for quantum communication systems.
The innovative speciality fibres created at Bath feature a micro-structured core with a complex pattern of air pockets running along the entire length of the fibre.
This design is crucial for compatibility with the operational wavelengths of single-photon sources, qubits, and other active optical components essential for light-based quantum technologies.
Dr Kristina Rusimova from the Department of Physics at Bath highlighted the importance of these advancements: “The conventional optical fibres used today transmit light at wavelengths governed by the losses of silica glass.
“These wavelengths are incompatible with the operational wavelengths required for light-based quantum technologies.”
The Bath research team is at the forefront of optical fibre design and fabrication, laying the groundwork for future data transmission needs. Their work underscores the necessity of developing new optical fibres tailored for quantum computing applications.
Harnessing the power of quantum entanglement
Light, particularly photons, serves as a promising medium for quantum computation due to its uniquely quantum properties.
Quantum entanglement, where two photons can instantaneously influence each other’s properties, allows entangled photons to exist simultaneously as both a one and a zero, significantly enhancing computational power.
Dr Cameron McGarry, former physicist at Bath and first author of the paper, emphasised the crucial role of a quantum internet in realising the potential of quantum technologies.
“A quantum internet will rely on optical fibres to transmit information from node to node, but these fibres will be fundamentally different from those currently in use,” he said.
Scalable solutions for a quantum network
The researchers explained the challenges of the quantum internet and proposed potential solutions for creating a robust, scalable quantum network.
This includes optical fibres for long-range communication and speciality fibres integrated with quantum repeaters to extend the technology’s operational range.
Speciality optical fibres can do more than connect network nodes; they can facilitate quantum computation at the nodes themselves.
These fibres can act as sources of entangled single photons, quantum wavelength converters, low-loss switches, or vessels for quantum memories.
Dr McGarry explained that the unique micro-structured core of Bath’s speciality fibres enables manipulation of light properties, such as generating entangled photons, changing photon colours, or trapping individual atoms.
Dr Alex Davis, an EPSRC Quantum Career Acceleration Fellow at Bath, added: “The ability of fibres to tightly confine light and transport it over long distances makes them extremely useful.
“This capability allows for generating entangled photons and creating more exotic quantum states of light for applications in quantum computing, precision sensing, and secure message encryption.”
Laying the foundations for tomorrow’s quantum computers
The technological challenges identified by Bath researchers are likely to open new avenues for quantum research, bringing us closer to achieving quantum advantage—the ability of a quantum device to outperform a conventional computer.
The innovative optical fibres developed at Bath are expected to play a pivotal role in the evolution of quantum computing, laying the groundwork for future advancements in this transformative field.
