How Diamonds Communicate Over Distance ⚡ экспресс
The work demonstrates an unconditional quantum CNOT gate between two remote solid-state devices based on diamond. The control and target qubits are implemented on the nuclear spins of carbon-13, while the electron spins of NV centers provide local logic operations, readout, and generation of remote entanglement via photonic channels. The system is calibrated by creating a Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger state with confirmation of genuine four-particle entanglement between the nodes. Thanks to the use of deterministic logic, single-shot readout, and real-time feedback, operations are performed without postselection. These results demonstrate a key capability for solid-state quantum networks, paving the way to distributed quantum computing and testing of complex network protocols on fully integrated systems.
Two artificial diamonds act like tuning forks. Inside each, a carbon-13 atom, a quantum bit. Nearby, a lattice defect, like a sensitive ear, reads the vibrations of this atom. A light pulse traveling through optical fiber at the speed of light makes two distant atoms “sound” in unison—this creates entanglement. Now, a change in one instantly resonates in the other, even if they're in separate rooms.
To transmit a specific computational command, physicists use a protocol similar to teleportation: not the atom itself is transferred, but its state. First, the entangled pair acts as a link. Then one qubit is measured, akin to sending a text message with instructions: which notes the second tuning fork should play. That one immediately reproduces the prescribed “melody.” This is how the CNOT gate operated—a key element of any processor. There were no glitches: ultrafast electronics corrected each step in real time.
The success is cemented by creating complex entanglement for four qubits. The experiment builds on the ideas of Charles Bennett and Anton Zeilinger but implemented in mass-produced diamond chips. Surprisingly, such quantum communication doesn't require giant refrigerators—diamond qubits operate at room temperature. This opens the path to secure data transmission networks and distributed computing, where entropy (a measure of disorder) is no longer an enemy but a helper.
🎯 Natural carbon contains only 1% of the needed isotope carbon-13, so diamonds are grown with an artificially increased fraction of this 'quantum' atom for experiments.
🎬 Science fiction promises teleportation of objects, but the real quantum version only transfers information about an atom's state—as if you copied a song file without sending the player itself.