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There are exactly 2 reasons we might want quantum networks. 1. 100% secure communication channels (even better we can detect any attempt at eavesdropping and w

by shalg 1y ago

There are exactly 2 reasons we might want quantum networks. 1. 100% secure communication channels (even better we can detect any attempt at eavesdropping and whatever information is captured will be useless to the eavesdropper) 2. Building larger quantum computers. A high fidelity quantum network would allow you to compute simultaneously with multiple quantum chips by interfacing them. The thing that makes quantum networking different from regular networking is that you have to be very careful to not disturb the state of the photons you are sending down the fiber optics. Im currently doing my PhD building quantum networking devices so im a bit biased but I think it’s pretty cool :). Now does it matter I’m not sure. Reason 1 isn’t really that useful because encryption is very secure. However if quantum computers start to scale up and some encryption methods get obsoleted this could be nice. Also having encryption that is provably secure would be nice regardless. Reason 2 at the moment seems like the only path to building large scale quantum computing. Think a datacenter with many networked quantum chips.

thesz 1y ago
What is the difference between channel error or distortion and eavesdropping?
- staunton 1y ago
  For eavesdropping, there is someone there who cares about what you're sending and is successfully learning things about it.
  - thesz 1y ago
    How can one quantumly differentiate between photon lost due to eavesdropping and photon lost due to some other error?
    - staunton 1y ago
      Other than by going around and finding the eavesdropper sitting somewhere, one cannot.
nativeit 1y ago
I feel like most of your answer was just re-stating the question. I’m happy to admit that’s almost certainly a mix of my ignorance on the topic at hand, and I have been primed to view the discussions surrounding quantum computing with suspicion, but either way, that’s the way it reads to this layperson.
chatmasta 1y ago
If studio execs have their way, Quantum DRM will be the killer use case…
- autoexec 1y ago
  Jokes on them, we'll just end up creating and using quantum pirating systems or even the dreaded Quantum Analog Hole to evade it.
nativeit 1y ago
> 100% secure communication channels (even better we can detect any attempt at eavesdropping and whatever information is captured will be useless to the eavesdropper) chips. A few follow up questions: 1. What is it about quantum computers that can guarantee 100% secure communication channels? 2. If the communications are 100% secure, why are we worried about eavesdropping? 3. If it can detect eavesdropping, why do we need to concern ourselves with the information they might see/hear? Just respond to the detection. 4. What is it about quantum computing that would make an eavesdroppers’ overheard information useless to them, without also obviating said information to the intended recipients? This is where the language used to discuss this topic turns into word salad for me. None of the things you said necessarily follow from the things that were said before them, but rather just levied as accepted fact.
- foota 1y ago
  Sorry, but I think the way you're phrasing this implies a burden on them to explain well understood and widely accepted principles of quantum physics that you seem to be implying are pseudoscience. This seems like a decent overview if you want to learn more: https://www.chalmers.se/en/centres/wacqt/discover-quantum-technology/quantum-communication/ https://www.chalmers.se/en/centres/wacqt/discover-quantum-te....
  - _heimdall 1y ago
    From the source you linked > According to the laws of quantum physics, it is impossible to measure or copy an unknown state of a quantum particle without noticeably changing it. That alone is a very clear description of how quantum mechanics is pseudoscience. Its based entirely on an untestable principle. When the initial state can't be measured because doing so changes the state we are left entirely unable to run a controlled study on it. You must know Tue state before and after an intervention to reliably and accurately deduce what happened or to begin to understand why it happened. This is the one miracle that we must grant to allow the rest of quantum research to become possible.
    - immibis 1y ago

by shalg 1y ago

thesz 1y ago

What is the difference between channel error or distortion and eavesdropping?

staunton 1y ago
For eavesdropping, there is someone there who cares about what you're sending and is successfully learning things about it.
- thesz 1y ago
  How can one quantumly differentiate between photon lost due to eavesdropping and photon lost due to some other error?
  - staunton 1y ago
    Other than by going around and finding the eavesdropper sitting somewhere, one cannot.

nativeit 1y ago

I feel like most of your answer was just re-stating the question. I’m happy to admit that’s almost certainly a mix of my ignorance on the topic at hand, and I have been primed to view the discussions surrounding quantum computing with suspicion, but either way, that’s the way it reads to this layperson.

chatmasta 1y ago

If studio execs have their way, Quantum DRM will be the killer use case…

autoexec 1y ago
Jokes on them, we'll just end up creating and using quantum pirating systems or even the dreaded Quantum Analog Hole to evade it.

nativeit 1y ago

> 100% secure communication channels (even better we can detect any attempt at eavesdropping and whatever information is captured will be useless to the eavesdropper) chips. A few follow up questions: 1. What is it about quantum computers that can guarantee 100% secure communication channels? 2. If the communications are 100% secure, why are we worried about eavesdropping? 3. If it can detect eavesdropping, why do we need to concern ourselves with the information they might see/hear? Just respond to the detection. 4. What is it about quantum computing that would make an eavesdroppers’ overheard information useless to them, without also obviating said information to the intended recipients? This is where the language used to discuss this topic turns into word salad for me. None of the things you said necessarily follow from the things that were said before them, but rather just levied as accepted fact.

foota 1y ago
Sorry, but I think the way you're phrasing this implies a burden on them to explain well understood and widely accepted principles of quantum physics that you seem to be implying are pseudoscience. This seems like a decent overview if you want to learn more: https://www.chalmers.se/en/centres/wacqt/discover-quantum-technology/quantum-communication/ https://www.chalmers.se/en/centres/wacqt/discover-quantum-te....
- _heimdall 1y ago
  From the source you linked > According to the laws of quantum physics, it is impossible to measure or copy an unknown state of a quantum particle without noticeably changing it. That alone is a very clear description of how quantum mechanics is pseudoscience. Its based entirely on an untestable principle. When the initial state can't be measured because doing so changes the state we are left entirely unable to run a controlled study on it. You must know Tue state before and after an intervention to reliably and accurately deduce what happened or to begin to understand why it happened. This is the one miracle that we must grant to allow the rest of quantum research to become possible.
  - immibis 1y ago