from Hacker News

'Nobody thought it was possible': Quantum teleportation is here

by lastdong on 1/28/25, 10:34 PM with 6 comments

  • by dlcarrier on 1/28/25, 11:06 PM

    The headline does not match the article.

    The method of quantum teleportation of data through fiber optics, which it is discussing, was first demonstrated in the 90's, (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_teleportation#Experime...) but researchers have, for the first time, demonstrated its use while also transporting conventional telecommunications traffic through the same fiber. This is the paper the article sources: https://opg.optica.org/optica/fulltext.cfm?uri=optica-11-12-...

    Most headlines are not written by the author, which is likely why this one is nonsensical.

  • by jfengel on 1/29/25, 9:38 PM

    I think they're talking about this:

    https://opg.optica.org/optica/fulltext.cfm?uri=optica-11-12-...

    "Quantum teleportation coexisting with classical communications in optical fiber"

    It's a thing that has been well understood for many years. This is a nice practical improvement, using existing fiber optics rather than having to lay new cables.

    The headline is bad and the BBC should feel bad. And the article isn't much better. Also, "quantum teleportation" was always a terrible name.

  • by andrewfromx on 1/28/25, 10:54 PM

    So this is all about sending data more securely: Imagine a spy trying to intercept the quantum message. They'd have to measure the quantum state to read it, but measuring it automatically changes it!

    The intended receiver would immediately know someone tampered with the message.

    But it's all just at light speed. The only breakthru is we can do it on existing fiber lines even with tons of other traffic on the lines.

  • by msie on 1/28/25, 10:40 PM

    I thought it was physically impossible to transmit information instantaneously. Or at least you get no useful information transmitted.