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Swiss start-up achieves breakthrough in quantum encryption

#big data #data privacy #quantum computers #quantum encryption #record

Swiss start-up Terra Quantum has been able to transmit quantum-encrypted data 10,000 times faster and over a greater distance than ever before. This is shown by data published by the company.

fast, faster, fastest. Runner in a race (symbol image)

According to the company, the new record proves for the first time the possibility of complete end-to-end security over global distances. «We have won the race against quantum computers with this,» says Terra Quantum founder Markus Pflitsch.

Quantum computers are, after all, a problem for data security: experts expect that they will be able to easily crack current, complicated mathematical encryptions in the near future due to their high computing power.

In order to be able to exchange secret data even in the age of quantum computers, another tool from the field of quantum technology is therefore needed: quantum cryptography. «It is physically impossible to decrypt quantum-encrypted data,» Pflitsch explained.

New approach uses the existing fibre optic network

Research institutes and companies around the world are therefore working on technologies for quantum encryption. Terra Quantum uses an approach based on quantum entanglement. According to its own data, the start-up has sent quantum-encrypted data over 1032 kilometres at a speed of 34 bits per second. The previous record holders from the University of Science and Technology of China achieved a distance of 1002 kilometres at a rate of 0.0034 bits per second.

In addition, other approaches in this field require the use of special infrastructure, according to Pflitsch. The new technology, on the other hand, uses the existing fibre optic network.

Pflitsch's team has provisionally published the results of the experiment.

Written by: sda

Photos: Keystone

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A hospital room in Zurich children's hospital

Researchers want to detect blood poisoning earlier using AI

With the help of artificial intelligence (AI) a research team at the University Children's Hospital in Zurich has defined new criteria for the diagnosis of blood poisoning. This could improve the early detection of this dangerous disease.
March 10th, 2024
plastic waste in a garbage bin

Microplastics could promote cancer

According to a new study, tiny plastic particles can be passed on during cell division. This could potentially favour the spread of cancer.
April 15th, 2024
a baby in a newborn ward

AI diagnoses heart defects in babies

An artificial intelligence (AI) developed by Zurich researchers recognises a specific heart defect in newborns. According to the researchers, it has the potential to reduce the number of missed diagnoses of pulmonary hypertension.
April 29th, 2024
the new robot can mimic the softness of materials

Robot reproduces the softness of materials

A new robot can precisely mimic the softness of various materials. In future, medical students could use it to practise detecting malignant tumours or researchers could feel the softness of an object in space.
May 6th, 2024
PEBE

Are CO2 absorbers the saviors of the climate crisis?

In the fight against climate change, gigatons of carbon dioxide will have to be removed from the atmosphere over the course of the century - using so-called carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies are giving people new hope.
June 12th, 2024
pedestrians at a zebra crossing

New car camera detects pedestrians 100 times faster

A new type of car camera recognises obstacles 100 times faster than previous driver assistance systems. In future, this technology should help to brake cars in good time if a pedestrian suddenly runs into the road.
August 5th, 2024
Pedestrians walk on planks across a flooded square in Switzerland.

Climate change causes global economy to shrink significantly

According to a new forecast, the global economy is at risk of shrinking by around a fifth by the middle of the century due to climate change.
August 19th, 2024