Physicists have successfully teleported information between two quantum bits separated by three metres, with their findings published in the journal Science.
Researchers from the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands were able to transfer quantum information, in this case the spin state of an electron, between two quantum bits without altering the state.
Scientists have previously been able to transfer quantum information, but the technique was hugely unreliable, only successfully transferring the data one in every million attempts. Now the physicists are able to transfer the data with 100% accuracy.
The Dutch team managed to improve the reliability by producing quantum bits using electrons trapped in diamonds at very low temperatures, which the New York Times describe as “miniprisons” where the researchers could establish a spin and read the value reliably.
Quantum teleportation could have applications in creating a more secure quantum internet as well as ever more powerful quantum computers.
