New Study Reveal Quantum Traits Survive Space Travel, Possibly To Pave Way To Quantum Cryptography

Physicists in Italy have concluded that photons sent through space and back maintains quantum traits.

The team of scientists from the University of Padua in Italy have observed that photons they have sent through the 5,000-kilometer space venture have maintained quantum structure, Science News reported.

The team, lead by Paolo Villoresi, conducted the experiment by transmitting blips of light to a satellite 5,000 kms. away, which reflected the photons back to Earth. They have discovered that the quantum traits of the photos remained intact. The results show that quantum cryptography is a possibility.

This demonstrates that covert communication by use of quantum mechanics, which may be carried out by transmitting uncrackable messages through satellites.

The study shed light upon what's known to be "quantum interference," which validates Quantum Mechanics, according to APS Physics.

The team of scientists look to explain the findings further in a paper that will be published in "Physical Review Letters."

The findings could possibly boost progress in developing a system that allows for quantum-level encryption through the use of satellites. Villoresi has stated that the experiment is important for "the sake of secure communication," as well as a big step in physics overall.

"I can more honestly say that it's cool," the lead scientist continued.

Quantum interference is a hard set rule for quantum particles such as photons. The phenomena can be likened to ripples in a pond that interacts with one another; colliding ripples can influence change in height, length, or cancel each other out completely.

The team looked for any signs of quantum interference with the photons to justify if it survived the journey. They split the photons in question in two, which is possible due to quantum mechanical particles can be put in a state known as superposition, as explained in a previous study.

The new findings prove that quantum communication is now possible outside the laboratory. This makes a giant leap for humanity in understanding the capabilities of present technology to progress further in the study of Quantum Mechanics.