Quantum Entanglement: Spooky Action at a Distance

Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash

Quantum entanglement continues to be among the most enigmatic phenomena researched by physicists. In simple terms, quantum entanglement means that two particles could have a distance of many light years between them and still be linked with each other.

A change in the state or properties of one of the two subatomic particles creates an instantaneous similar change in the other, even though there is no known channel of intercommunication amid them.
The current human understanding holds that nothing travels faster than light. However, due to entanglement, the information between entangled particles can be shared seemingly faster than the speed of light.

Quantum Computing
Albert Einstein was not much enthusiastic about the phenomenon of entanglement as it was not in congruence with his general theory of relativity. He brushed it aside by labeling it as some “spooky action at a distance”. On the other hand, some physicists are certain it may well play a role in our consciousness.

However, in terms of research in physics, quantum entanglement is now an established notion. Researchers have started using it in computing. In the event, the work on quantum computing reaches completion, quantum computers would outperform the existing computing systems by a long shot.

Quantum Teleportation and Quantum Internet
By the end of 2019, a team of scientists successfully carried out an experiment of Quantum teleportation which was published in the Nature magazine. The researchers entangled two entities known as quantum memories, using photons that were carried through the longest expanse of space to be ever tested in such experiments.

Quantum information was stored in these quantum memories. These quantum memories are an integral feature of making quantum internet.

Quantum internet would enable exceptionally secure communication. It would allow communication over quantum computers located at long distances. Researchers still do not have a consensus on whether quantum internet would ever be refined enough to be used at a large scale. Though some believe it to be achievable, they believe that such a development will take a long time.

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