Researchers have made a significant breakthrough in quantum communication by enabling secure connections between PCs and quantum computers over the internet. This new paradigm, dubbed ‘blind quantum computing,’ employs a fiber-optic cable to link a quantum computer to a photon-detecting and reconfiguring device. This device serves as an intermediary between the quantum computer and a remote PC, allowing users to perform operations remotely. The study, published in the journal Nature, emphasizes the potential of blind quantum computing to unlock the immense processing power of quantum computers while addressing their inherent fragility and susceptibility to external interference. Unlike conventional computers, quantum computers require near-absolute zero temperatures to maintain the delicate quantum states of their qubits. The new method provides users with the ability to run computations remotely on a quantum computer without revealing the underlying data. This is achieved by interweaving hidden test rounds with the actual algorithm, enabling users to verify the validity of their results. Throughout the computation, the remote computer and the quantum computer engage in continuous information exchange, necessitating the extended storage of photonic states in quantum memory. The communication between the PC and quantum computer is also encrypted using one-time pad encryption, a highly secure form of encryption that prevents eavesdropping. The technique’s scalability stems from its ability to avoid information loss, unlike previous photonic-based experiments. However, scaling requires the addition of more qubits and stringent error rate control. The implementation of blind quantum computing could pave the way for commercial advancements. With a photon polarization measurement device and a high-fidelity photonic link, users can establish secure connections with quantum computers. The method’s significance lies in its ability to provide a highly secure communication channel over the internet, as any attempt to intercept or copy data will disrupt the quantum wave function and alert the parties involved.
Secure Remote Quantum Computing via ‘Blind Quantum Computing’
