Quantum Internet
The classical Internet has been constantly growing since it first became commercially popular in the early 1990’s. The Quantum Internet will operate according to unique physical principles such as quantum superposition, entanglement and teleportation.
WHAT IS QUANTUM INTERNET?
We can say that it is a network that will allow quantum devices to exchange information within an environment that takes advantage of the laws of quantum mechanics. The Quantum Internet will have end-nodes, which may be connected by quantum repeaters/routers.
WORKING OF QUANTUM INTERNET
The QKD network works by transmitting an encoded key in the form of quantum bits (qubits) between endpoints over a fiber optic cable. The qubits are typically polarized photons, which can travel easily along fiber-optic cables. Any attempt to intercept the quantum key destroys the qubit’s delicate quantum state and the information it holds, alerting the endpoints that an intrusion occurred. The detectability of the intrusions is what ensures the security of the transmission. At each node, the key is decrypted into classical bits and then put back into its quantum state for further transmission to the next node.
APPLICATIONS
There will be no shortage of commercial applications for these advanced cryptographic mechanisms. The world of finance, in particular, looks set to benefit as the quantum internet will lead to enhanced privacy for online transactions and stronger proof of the funds used in the transaction.
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ADVANTAGES
- The Quantum Internet will provide intrinsic benefits such as better end-user and network security.
DISADVANTAGES
- The largest distance supported by QKD is about 250 KM at a speed of 16 bps through guided medium.
- The world wide implementation of this can take up lots of jobs and hence unemployment will increase.
- While traveling through the channel (i.e. optical fiber or air), there is a possibility of change in polarization of photon due to various causes.
- Lack of digital signatures which might cause an increase in the cybercrime rates in the upcoming future.
CONCLUSION
The Quantum Internet is still under development. In Feynman words, we are still in the Abacus level of the classical computers in the field of Quantum computers. In the near future, the quantum internet could be a specialized branch of the regular internet. Research groups all over the world are currently developing chips that might allow a classical computer to connect to a quantum network. People would use classical computing most of the time and hook up to the quantum network only for specific tasks.