量子计算机理论互联距离达两千公里

Core Insights - The team from the University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering has significantly advanced quantum communication by theoretically extending the connection distance between quantum computers to 2000 kilometers, enabling communication between devices that were previously unable to "talk" to each other [1][2] - This breakthrough is attributed to an innovative manufacturing process rather than new materials, utilizing a technique called molecular beam epitaxy to construct crystal structures with high precision, akin to 3D printing [2][3] Group 1: Quantum Communication Breakthrough - The previous maximum distance for quantum computers to communicate via fiber optics was only a few kilometers, limiting connectivity between devices located in different areas of the same city [1] - The key to overcoming this limitation lies in enhancing the coherence time of individual erbium atoms, which was improved from 0.1 milliseconds to over 10 milliseconds, and in some experimental conditions, even reached 24 milliseconds, theoretically supporting quantum connections up to 4000 kilometers [1] Group 2: Manufacturing Process Innovation - The traditional method of creating quantum devices involved high-temperature melting and slow cooling, followed by chemical etching, which has been replaced by a more innovative approach that allows for precise layer-by-layer construction of crystal structures [2] - This new technique opens a feasible path for the scalable production of interconnected quantum bits, as noted by experts in the field [2]