Scientists have transmitted quantum and conventional internet data through the same fiber-optic channel, meaning a future quantum internet could theoretically use existing infrastructure.

Scientists have successfully transmitted quantum data and conventional data through a single optical fiber for the first time. The research demonstrates that quantum data in the form of entangled photons and conventional internet data sent as laser pulses can coexist in the same fiber-optic cable. Most research into building a quantum internet has focused on the need for separate infrastructure or dedicated channels for quantum data to avoid interference from “classical” data. But this new “hybrid” network could pave the way for more efficient implementation of quantum communications by enabling quantum and conventional data to share the same infrastructure. The researchers revealed their findings in a study published July 26 in the journal Science Advances.

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Quantum data beamed alongside ‘classical data’ in the same fiber-optic connection for the 1st time