In Step Toward Quantum Networking, Penn Study Finds Quantum Light Pattern Can Survive Loss of Entanglement

Insider Brief

• Penn-led researchers used a photonic chip to transfer a winding pattern from one photon to a shared two-photon state, preserving the pattern under noise even after entanglement disappeared.
• The winding pattern remained stable as the quantum state deteriorated, supported by other quantum correlations, but broke down under sufficiently strong noise.
• The findings could one day be used in the development of more resilient quantum networks.

University of Pennsylvania researchers have used a photonic chip to transfer a winding pattern in quantum light that survived noise even after entanglement disappeared, which they say could help develop quantum networks.

Currently, scientists and engineers are exploring ways to create a quantum network that could, for example, connect two quantum computers in separate buildings so they can work together on a calculation. The team suggests this experiment could be an initial step on the path toward more resilient links between those extremely sensitive quantum systems.

The study, published in Nature Physics, demonstrates a way to create and manipulate quantum skyrmions, which are structured patterns in light whose overall winding can remain stable even as their underlying quantum state deteriorates. To picture this, think how a rope can bend and stretch without losing its knot. In this case, these light patterns can retain their overall winding even as noise degrades their quantum state.