No Strings Attached: IIT Delhi Sends Secure Quantum Messages Wire-Free
New Delhi: In a significant advancement in quantum technology, researchers have achieved free-space quantum secure communication across a distance exceeding 1km at
IIT Delhi
, managing to transmit highly secure messages through open air without using cables or wires.
The breakthrough was made possible by a phenomenon known as quantum entanglement, which links two particles in such a way that any change to one instantly affects the other, regardless of the distance between them, making the communication virtually impossible to intercept or hack.
The demonstration was a joint effort by IIT Delhi and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and conducted under a project titled 'Design and Development of Photonic Technologies for Free Space QKD'.
It was sanctioned by the Directorate of Futuristic Technology Management and given by Professor Bhaskar Kanseri's research group.
"It serves as a proof of concept using quantum entanglement, which makes communication more secure than other quantum communication techniques," said Prof Kanseri, an IHFC chair professor in the Department of Physics, IIT Delhi.
During the experiment, researchers managed to securely share secret information at a speed of about 240 bits per second, while keeping errors very low — less than 7%.
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This is a big step toward making quantum communication useful for things like online security. It could help create secure ways to share information over long distances, build quantum networks, and eventually lead to a 'quantum internet'.
Normally, someone hacking into a device might steal information. But with quantum entanglement, the link between particles breaks right away, and the users know someone is trying to listen in.
This aspect makes it very useful for key areas like defence, banking, telecom and national security.
Moreover, as the experiment used free space (through the air) instead of optical fibres (underground wires), it can work even in areas where laying cables is difficult or expensive, like mountains or crowded cities.
"It can safeguard digital transactions, such as credit card payments, UPI transfers, online banking, medical records, sensitive data, emails and messaging, directly benefiting common citizens," said Prof Kanseri.
However, achieving the breakthrough wasn't easy, especially in a city like Delhi. "Free-space quantum communication is extremely challenging due to atmospheric disturbances, such as turbulence, air currents and pollution. Delhi's elevated levels of these factors make it particularly difficult to conduct such experiments," he added.
India's previous free-space quantum communication record, achieved by Isro in 2023, was limited to 300 metres, as per experts. The latest demonstration, surpassing the 1km mark, represents a major advancement for the country's quantum research capabilities.
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