Quantum Network Buried Under NYC: A Glimpse Into the Future of Cybersecurity and the Internet

Quantum Network Under NYC: A Glimpse Into the Future

For 15 days last December, a groundbreaking experiment took place deep beneath New York City. Qunnect, a quantum hardware company, successfully established a 21-mile-long quantum network spanning from the Brooklyn Navy Yard to Corona, Queens.

This network utilized existing fiber optic cables, but instead of traditional photons, Qunnect transmitted entangled, polarized photons—photons linked in a quantum state. This groundbreaking experiment, described in a paper on the arXiv preprint server, could revolutionize communication and computing.

What Makes This Network Special?

• Record-breaking Speed: The network sent half a million photon pairs per second, surpassing previous experiments by a significant margin.
• Robustness: The network remained operational for 99.84% of the experiment, demonstrating its stability and potential for real-world applications.
• Existing Infrastructure: Unlike quantum computers, which require extremely cold temperatures, photons can carry quantum information at ambient temperatures, allowing Qunnect to leverage existing infrastructure.

Potential Applications:

The most immediate impact of this technology lies in cybersecurity. Entangled photons offer a highly secure communication channel, making it virtually impossible for hackers to intercept information. The team envisions a future where this technology could be used to create unbreakable encryption keys.

While still in its early stages, this experiment highlights the potential of quantum networking for a future quantum internet, offering speeds far exceeding current internet technologies. It's a reminder that remarkable scientific advancements are happening all around us, even beneath the bustling streets of New York City.

<figure id="attachment_2000492254" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-2000492254"><img decoding="async" src="https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/qunnect-gothamq-testbed-new-york-city-map-1024x487.jpg" alt="A map showing the GothamQ testbed and the experimental apparatus prior to photons entering (top left) and exiting (bottom right) the GothamQ fiber." width="1024" height="487" srcset="https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/qunnect-gothamq-testbed-new-york-city-map-1024x487.jpg 1024w, https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/qunnect-gothamq-testbed-new-york-city-map-300x143.jpg 300w, https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/qunnect-gothamq-testbed-new-york-city-map-768x365.jpg 768w, https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/qunnect-gothamq-testbed-new-york-city-map-680x323.jpg 680w, https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/qunnect-gothamq-testbed-new-york-city-map-896x426.jpg 896w, https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/qunnect-gothamq-testbed-new-york-city-map-1792x852.jpg 1792w, https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2024/08/qunnect-gothamq-testbed-new-york-city-map.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1023px) calc(100vw - 2rem), (max-width: 1279px) calc(100vw - 26rem), 680px" data-index="0"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-2000492254">A map showing the GothamQ testbed and the experimental apparatus prior to photons entering (top left) and exiting (bottom right) the GothamQ fiber. Graphic: Craddock et al. 2024</figcaption></figure>