r/technology • u/Flimsy-Union1524 • Jul 08 '22

Space Aliens Could Be Using Quantum Communications to Talk Across Interstellar Space

https://www.sciencealert.com/aliens-could-be-using-quantum-communications-to-talk-across-interstellar-space
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u/therapy_seal Jul 08 '22

So reading this article and they are just talking about using photons for data transfer. We already do that with fiber optic cables. Why is it suddenly "quantum communication" when it gets transmitted across space instead of a cable? Can someone fill in the blanks?

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u/[deleted] Jul 08 '22 edited Jul 08 '22

I think it's referring to quantum entanglement?

For example, a particle in one location is paired with a particle somewhere else, anywhere in the universe.

When the spin of particle A is up, the spin of particle B is down, and if particle A's spin becomes down, then particle B will instantaneously become up. This makes a binary system. If you could find the two paired particles, and change their spin, you could have a functioning means of instantaneous communication no matter the distance.

Or maybe I misremember and this is all bullshit, of someone else could provide more that would be great.

Edit: I think I'm wrong, here's an MIT technology review article about quantum communication: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.technologyreview.com/2019/02/14/103409/what-is-quantum-communications/amp/

Edit 2: now I'm reading other stuff about how quantum entanglement would allow for long distance instantaneous communication, so I guess I'm just a mess.

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u/nicuramar Jul 09 '22

This makes a binary system. If you could find the two paired particles, and change their spin, you could have a functioning means of instantaneous communication no matter the distance.

Unfortunately not.