Scientists achieve quantum teleportation of data with 100 percent accuracy

[Otter]

I can only picture Spock saying "fascinating"

http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/comput...#ixzz33JAfCB4X

Dutch scientists working with the Kavli Institute of Nanoscience at the Delft University of Technology have made a stunning breakthrough in quantum technology by successfully teleporting data across a distance of about 10 feet with perfect accuracy, reports the New York Times. The advance ought to have Albert Einstein, who famously dismissed the idea of quantum teleportation as "spooky action at a distance," rolling in his grave.

Einstein struggled mightily with many of the theoretical consequences of quantum theory, perhaps none more so than the notion of entanglement, the phenomenon that makes teleportation possible. It's easy to understand why; the idea is, well, downright spooky.

Entanglement is the weird instantaneous link that has been shown to exist between certain particles, such as photons or electrons, even if they are separated by vast distances. Although entangled particles do not appear to have any physical connection, they are capable of acting in concert. For instance, if you change the spin of one, the spin of the other will also be altered. All of this happens instantaneously, even if the two particles exist at opposite ends of the universe, as if they are one. How exactly the phenomenon happens is a complete mystery. That it happens, however, has been verified by numerous experiments.

The task for scientists hoping to invent teleportation technology is to hijack this phenomenon, but it's no easy task. Entangled particles are frustratingly fickle, difficult to capture and even more difficult to manipulate. But the breakthrough made by the Kavli Institute scientists could be a game-changer. It not only demonstrates that quantum teleportation is possible, but that it is technologically applicable.

Previous attempts to teleport information by manipulating entangled particles have been promising, but have fallen short of practical application. For instance, a University of Maryland study back in 2009 demonstrated that it could be done, but only one out of every 100 million attempts succeeded. At that speed, it would take about 10 whole minutes to transfer just a single bit of quantum information.

Comparatively, the Kavli Institute scientists were able to achieve the feat 100 percent of the time, essentially accomplishing deterministic control over the phenomenon. They did so by producing quantum bits using electrons trapped in diamonds at extremely low temperatures. These ultra-cold gemstones effectively acted as prisons, trapping the electrons and allowing the scientists to accurately establish their spin, or value.

If they can repeat the experiment over distances significantly larger than 10 feet, it could mean that incomprehensibly fast quantum computers and a quantum internet are just around the corner.

“There is a big race going on between five or six groups to prove Einstein wrong,” said Ronald Hanson, a physicist who leads the group at Delft. “There is one very big fish.”

[Rasputin]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

This surely won't create any problems whatsoever.

[Mr_Tomahawk]

Dude, my wireless router does this shit all the time.

[Fat Elvis]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Your talking about molecular acceleration faster than the speed of light this is the 1st step.

No. It really isn't. This is about quantum entanglement, and it doesn't violate relativity as no sub-atomic particle is travelling faster than the speed of light in the experiment. This has to do with information and paired photons. Information is not matter. There have been experiments in this field that support the findings of the Dutch researchers since the 1980's; what makes the new research such a breakthrough is the level of accuracy.

When you get down to it, it really obviates the need for manned exploration of the solar system and beyond as the exploration can now (theoretically) be done in real time via proxy. This should usher in a new age of more robust, yet cheaper, exploration. Imagine piloting a robot (or a team of robots) in real time that had superhuman abilities using virtual reality to experience/drive them.

[ThaVirus]

So when am I going to be able to teleport? Lay it on me.

[morphius]

Originally Posted by unlurking

Real time communications for space travel! W00t!

Where's my spacesuit?!

This was always my first thought of what entaglment would be used for. Also, one of the reasons that SETI will probably not pick up radio waves from aliens, because a tech like this is so much faster as a way to communicate.

[Coochie liquor]

Originally Posted by Tribal Warfare

Or time travel

Then Gronk can have his super power and come to Florida??!!??

And wow I feel stupi after reading this article. Can't quite grasp it. But I am in Florida... Eff it I'm going to the beach!!

[Rausch]

Originally Posted by morphius

Also, one of the reasons that SETI will probably not pick up radio waves from aliens, because a tech like this is so much faster as a way to communicate.

This is something I've wondered about.

Just like people wouldn't have been able to detect microwave communications in the 40's we could be drowned in communications signals right now we just can't pick up.

[Beef Supreme]

Still no hover boards.

[ptlyon]

I'm reserving judgement until I hear Norman Einstein's thoughts on this

[morphius]

Originally Posted by Rausch

This is something I've wondered about.

Just like people wouldn't have been able to detect microwave communications in the 40's we could be drowned in communications signals right now we just can't pick up.

Well, and if you think about this, with our current level of understanding, there may be absolutely no way to pick up this kind of communication as it is the info is shared only with the two particles. It is completely secure communications. (Unless we can learn to read info from whatever dimension that they are linked in)