Scientists from the University of Bristol and the Technical University of Denmark have succeeded for the first time in realizing quantum teleportation between two computer chips. The team was able to transfer information immediately from one chip to another without being physically or electronically connected. This achievement opens the door to quantum computers and the quantum Internet.
Quantum teleportation exceeds speed of light limitations
This type of teleportation is made possible by a phenomenon called quantum entanglement, in which two particles are so closely entangled that they can “communicate” over long distances. Changing the properties of one particle causes the other particle to change immediately, no matter how much space there is between them. Essentially, information is teleported between them.
Hypothetically speaking, there is no limit to the distance over which quantum teleportation can work. This raises some strange implications that have even puzzled Einstein himself. Our current understanding of physics says that nothing can travel faster than the speed of light, but with quantum teleportation, the information seems to break through this speed limit. Einstein called it “spooky action at a distance”.
The team reported a 91 percent success rate in teleportation and was able to perform some functions that will be important for quantum computing. These include the exchange of entanglements (whereby states can pass between particles that have never interacted directly through an intermediary) and the entanglement of up to four photos with each other.