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Chinese scientists solve quantum communication’s ‘nocturnal curse’, paving way for sending of secure messages 24/7

Using photons with a longer wavelength makes long-distance transmission possible during daylight hours

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Professor Pan Jianwei delivers a lecture at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in September. Photo: Dickson Lee
Stephen Chenin Beijing

A breakthrough by Chinese quantum satellite researchers could pave the way for a “constellation” of hack-proof satellites capable of transmitting secure messages 24 hours a day.

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In a recent ground-based experiment on Qinghai Lake, in northwestern China, they found a solution to the “nocturnal curse” that had restricted quantum satellite activities to nighttime.

The researchers, from the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) in Hefei, Anhui province, beamed single photons carrying quantum information over a distance of 53km during daylight hours, several times longer than the previous daytime record and with unprecedented signal quality.

“Our work proves the feasibility of a low-Earth-orbit quantum satellite constellation which works mostly in the daylight,” the researchers, led by Professor Pan Jianwei, said in a draft paper released on the website arXiv.org earlier.

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The quantum satellite constellation would help China build a “global-scale quantum communication network”, they added.

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