Chinese researchers have announced a groundbreaking advancement in the field of quantum secure direct communication (QSDC). According to reports, scientists have developed a novel data transmission protocol that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics, setting a new global benchmark for both speed and transmission range.
QSDC is a method of quantum communication that enables the direct transmission of information through quantum states, such as photons, without the need for conventional encryption keys. This not only ensures secure communication but also renders it impervious to potential interception—any external interference alters the quantum state and is immediately detectable.
Professor Gui-Lu Long of Tsinghua University, who also serves as Vice President of the Beijing Academy of Quantum Information Sciences, stated that a prototype of a quantum internet has already been built using this new protocol. This groundbreaking technology could lay the foundation for a secure data transmission network that employs qubits instead of classical bits.
A distinguishing feature of the proposed method is its ability to facilitate both information transfer and key exchange using the same individual photons. Moreover, the protocol exhibits exceptional resilience to signal loss and transmission errors, making it highly suitable for applications requiring heightened security, such as national defense, financial transactions, and military communications.
The researchers emphasize that their achievement is based on a unidirectional photon transmission protocol that significantly reduces signal loss. While this method still incorporates certain cryptographic elements, it is already classified as quantum-secure communication.
Experimental trials have demonstrated record-breaking data transmission speeds of 2.38 kilobits per second over a distance of 104.8 km through standard fiber-optic cables—far surpassing the previous 2022 record of 0.54 bits per second over 100 km. At a distance of 50.3 km, the transmission rate reached 4.08 kilobits per second, approaching the performance levels of 1990s-era modems.
Scientists are confident that, in the near future, they will be able to at least double or triple the transmission speed while extending the communication range to 150 km or beyond. Looking ahead, this technology has the potential to serve as the backbone of a global quantum-secure network encompassing space, atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial environments.
