Quantum computing is leaping forward thanks to researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). A team led by Hsuan-Hao Lu has developed a groundbreaking quantum gate that facilitates interactions between different properties, or degrees of freedom, of photons, such as polarization and frequency. This novel gate has potential implications for enhancing the resilience of quantum networks against errors, an advancement underscored by its inclusion in Optica Quantum's top downloads for the third quarter of 2024.
The significance of their work lies in the quantum entanglement of photons, which is a fundamental aspect of quantum communication and computing. However, the delicate nature of this connection makes it susceptible to environmental interference and potential errors. ORNL's newly devised techniques could potentially mitigate these disruptions. "Photons, the smallest packets of electromagnetic energy, are viable carriers of information across quantum networks," Lu explained, "Each photon has multiple degrees of freedom — such as path, polarization and frequency — that can carry quantum information. The quantum connection between photons, known as entanglement, enables protocols like quantum teleportation. However, this connection is highly sensitive to environmental conditions, which can introduce errors during transmission." This information was provided according to a statement detailed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory News.
Through the process known as hyperentanglement, Lu and his colleagues demonstrated that reliability in quantum communication could be significantly improved. This technique involves entangling multiple degrees of freedom between two photons to strengthen their shared connection.
This innovation aligns with ORNL's broader commitment to the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology in 2025, symbolizing an enduring effort to spearhead quantum advancements. In light of this development, the researchers are preparing to integrate their new quantum gate into ORNL's quantum network. This move would potentially mark a significant stride in the domain of quantum communication. Their work has received funding through the Department of Energy's Advanced Scientific Computing Research program and the Quantum-Accelerated Internet Testbed (QuAInT).
