Quantum Messages may lead to “Beam Me Up Scotty”
Scientists used a telescope to direct photons to satellites and then measure the photons’ quantum properties on their return. The green laser visible in the image is used to track the location of the satellite. The scheme shows that quantum communication in space may be technologically feasible.
In a feat that demonstrates the feasibility of using satellites to transmit uncrackable quantum messages, scientists have measured the quantum properties of photons sent to space and back again.
Physicists beamed the blips of light up to a satellite that reflected them back to Earth. Upon the photons’ return, the team, led by Paolo Villoresi of the University of Padua in Italy, observed a property known as quantum interference. That confirmed that the particles’ quantum traits remained intact over the 5,000-kilometer space voyage.
Everything that happened in Star Trek becomes true, eventually…
The technique could one day lead to quantum cryptography by satellite,allowing users to send snoop-proof encryption keys for encoding secret information. “ It’s important for the sake of secure communication and advancement of physics,” says Villoresi. But that’s not the only reason he took on the challenge. “I can more honestly say that it’s cool.”
One day, we shall travel by photon.
Neurodope excerpt attribution Quantum Messages reference for full article: Quantum weirdness survives space travel
A quick overview of the topics covered in this article.
How do ya like my little magazine? Neurodope Magazine is a sardonic, science-meets-philosophy publication that explores the strange, the curious, and the mind-bending corners of reality with wit, skepticism, and insight.
If this kind of brain static hits your frequency, subscribe for articles to your inbox. I try to look deeper into things and write about them: commentary on society, science, and space.. After all, there's a whole lot of unknown unknowns out there.. and I'm curious to the ideas surrounding them. Thanks for reading! - Chip
Latest articles
The Oracle of Delphi: Where Gods Whisper Through Gas
Delphi isn’t just an archaeological site; it’s a signal tower for human imagination. On the south-western spur of Mount Parnassus, the valley of Phocis [read more...]
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) Induce an Appreciation for Intellectual Theatre
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have long been considered the stuff of science fiction, but recent advancements in technology have made them a reality. These interfaces [read more...]
De Origin o’ de Jack o’ de Lantern
American Folklore has been passed down for generations. Read like a Mark Twain story in original "back-woods-country-talkin" dialect, here is a reprint from 'Folk-Lore [read more...]
