IIT Delhi Achieves Quantum Communication Breakthrough, Successfully Transmits Entangled Photons With Classical Data Over 50-Km Optical Fibre

New Delhi: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) researchers in Delhi have achieved a major breakthrough in quantum communication by successfully transmitting entangled photons along with classical data over a 50-kilometer optical fibre link, according to a statement. Professor Bhaskar Kanseri, who led the research, explained that this development addresses a key challenge in creating future quantum communication networks.

The researchers demonstrated that quantum signals can coexist with classical signals on the same fiber infrastructure, which is typically used for conventional telecommunications. By integrating quantum communications with existing networks, the technology could become more scalable and cost-effective to deploy, potentially enhancing security for various sensitive communications, including those involving financial institutions, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and critical infrastructure.

This achievement, funded by IIT Delhi's Institute of Eminence grant and the National Quantum Mission, has been published in the journal Optics Communication.