A prototype of a quantum network using drones was created

Physicists and engineers have spent the last few years working on a usable quantum

This would require entangled particles to be sent between users, resulting in the most secure network ever created.As part of the creation of the quantum network, the researchers sent entangled particles through fiber cables, between towers, and even from satellites to Earth.What makes the new experiment special is the addition of new elements to the system: drones.

Ideally the ideal solution for creatingThe long-range quantum network is satellites. But for small networks, for example, for communication between users in the same city, another option is needed. Towers can be used, but they are susceptible to weather conditions, and their operation can also be blocked - intentionally or not. To get around this problem, the researchers used drones to transmit signals.

The work involved creating a small devicegenerating a laser, and its attachment to one of the drones. When it “shot”, the photons split into two parts, forming entangled pairs. One group of paired photons was sent to the second drone, and the other to the ground station. The drone that received the entangled photon served only as a relay—after refocusing, the photon was sent to a third drone, which then sent it to a second ground station.

In the prototype, photons were sent only 1 km, butthe researchers suggest that moving the drones higher will allow photons to be transmitted over a distance of up to 300 km. This work is the first in which entangled particles are sent between two moving devices.

Photo: X.-H. Tian, ​​H.-Y. Liu and Z. Xie / Nanjing Univ.

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