Quantum technologies explained

Here at Nokia we believe there is a vast quantum-technologies landscape to explore, one that encompasses far more than computing. In this article, we shine a light on the breadth of Nokia Bell Labs’ quantum research as well as the potential solutions we and others can create utilizing these technologies. 

We are entering a new quantum age where we can harness the properties of single particles of matter to do truly amazing things. Quantum computers will be able to simulate the most hypercomplex systems in nature and society, which could, for example, radically transform healthcare research or how we optimize communication networks. Quantum networking and security will ensure the privacy of our data and communications, while connecting quantum devices across the globe. Quantum sensors will allow us to map uncharted areas of our physical world, whether it’s the firing of a neuron in the human brain or the behavior of individual radio waves propagating throughout a city.
 

Welcome to the era of Quantum 2.0

This new generation of quantum capabilities are what we call Quantum Technology 2.0. As the name implies, quantum technologies are not new. We have been harnessing the power of quantum mechanics for decades. In fact, many of Nokia Bell Labs’ greatest inventions were based on quantum research, such as the transistor, the solar cell and quantum dots. Quantum Technology 1.0 innovations are the reason we have microprocessors and optical networks today.

However, quantum technologies have recently moved into an exciting new phase. While Quantum 1.0 innovations like the transistor depended on understanding the ensemble behavior of groups of quantum particles, Quantum 2.0 innovations like quantum computing have narrowed that understanding down to the individual particle level. We are discovering how to make a single electron, or a single photon, do our biding. And by drilling down to the quantum level, we can take advantage of particles’ unique properties, like quantum superposition and quantum entanglement. By harnessing those properties, we are creating a new generation of quantum technologies and applications that were once only theoretically possible.

“There are truly exciting things coming out of Quantum Technology 2.0, but it is important to note that there are specific applications to which we can apply these technologies,” said Michael Eggleston, Data and Devices Research Department Head at Nokia Bell Labs. 

“Twenty years from now, there won’t be a quantum computer at every office, nor will everyone be logging into the quantum internet to do their daily work,” Eggleston continued. “But for specific applications, quantum technologies could have a staggering impact. We could create unbreakable security for our communications and data. We could build quantum computers that can out-calculate the most powerful classical supercomputers. And we could sense new phenomena, expanding our understanding of the natural world.”

Nokia groups quantum technologies into four research categories: quantum computing, quantum networking, quantum security and quantum sensing. Though each quantum technology has its own distinct areas of research, they are interrelated, and many future quantum applications and solutions will utilize multiple quantum technologies. 
 

Quantum computing

Quantum computers make use of the quantum states of individual particles to perform calculations at a complexity no classical computer could ever match. Quantum computers are very good at simulating extremely complicated systems – at solving multi-dimensional jigsaw puzzles. We could put these capabilities to work designing new medications or optimizing global infrastructure on an enormous scale. Today, these kinds of problems are often solved through the painstaking process of trial and error, but quantum computers theoretically could simulate each of the billions of variables in these problems, turning the ad hoc into exact science. 

Several companies have built functioning quantum computers, but they are extremely limited in capability and unable to solve any real problems. The key challenge facing quantum computing is that of coherence, or stability. Quantum computers function through the interaction of multiple quantum bits, or qubits. But these entangled qubits exist in a very fragile state, and in most cases function only at extremely low temperatures near absolute zero. Despite cryogenic cooling techniques, most qubits destabilize and start producing errors within milliseconds. 

To develop a quantum computer of meaningful power, we need to scale up the number of entangled qubits from a few dozen today to hundreds of thousands. And more importantly, we need to hold these qubits in a coherent state for hours or days at a time, rather than mere milliseconds. This stability is vital to solving very large complex problems.

Nokia and Nokia Bell Labs are investigating the following key areas in quantum computing research:

• Topological quantum computing: This promising new type of quantum computer could hold many entangled qubits in a coherent state for very long periods of time. This could help solve the stability problem.
• Photonic quantum computing: Photons could serve as qubits to create a light-based quantum computer. A photonic quantum computer theoretically could function at room temperature, eliminating the need for advanced cryogenic cooling.
• Quantum algorithms: To fully take advantage of new application possibilities, we are researching new algorithms that utilize the unique properties of quantum computing.
• Quantum-inspired computing: In quantum computing we use the power of quantum physics to solve hard problems. In our quantum-inspired computing research, we look for other ways to harness physics to solve complex compute problems more efficiently.

Quantum networking

Computing and communication are inextricably linked, so quantum computing and quantum networking go hand in hand. Quantum networks, quite simply, carry quantum information. We could use these networks to interconnect quantum computers and other quantum devices. As such, quantum networks have the potential to support distributed quantum computing, which could scale the compute capabilities to the millions of qubits needed to solve extremely complex problems that a single quantum computer could not tackle alone. Quantum networks also have a key role to play in creating the most secure and private communications systems imaginable by locking our information behind the immutable laws of physics.

Like quantum computers, quantum networks do exist today, but they are very limited in reach. The maximum distance we can maintain a stable quantum connection over a single fiber link is about 50 kilometers. But Nokia Bell Labs is making new breakthroughs in optical technologies that we believe will eventually expand the reach of quantum networks across the globe and even into deep space.

Quantum networking falls under the larger research field of quantum communications, along with quantum security. Due to the significance and long-term horizon of our quantum networking innovation, however, we view it as a distinct focus area. Nokia and Nokia Bell Labs are working on the following quantum networking research projects:

• Quantum internet: Quantum computers will be highly distributed and interconnected over quantum networks. The quantum internet will connect not just quantum computers, but also quantum sensors and quantum communications systems.
• Quantum repeater: To overcome the key distance limitation of quantum networking, we will need a quantum repeater, which would transport information in a quantum state over multiple segments of fiber.
• Quantum Information Theory: Just as Bell Labs defined the limits of classical communications with Information Theory, we are now exploring the limits of quantum communications with Quantum Information Theory. Bell Labs is also researching new quantum error-correction codes, which will be critical to developing more powerful, efficient and resilient quantum networks as well as play a role in overcoming quantum computers’ stability challenges.
• Optical quantum communications: By applying Quantum Information Theory to our understanding of the fundamentals of communication, we are extending the limits of light-based transmission technologies. This research is paving the way for new applications such as quantum satellite communications, which uses new quantum detectors to connect the Earth to the Moon, distant planets and deep space probes.

Quantum security

If there is one quantum technology that will have a direct impact on nearly everyone on Earth, it is quantum security (see quantum-safe networking below). Quantum computing’s problem-solving capabilities will be a boon to many industries, but they will also present a very real threat against the privacy, security and integrity of our communications and data. Once quantum computers advance far enough, they will be capable of cracking data encryption deemed unbreakable with classical computers today.

While quantum security, like quantum networking, is part of the larger research field of quantum communications, Nokia views security as a separate focus area due to the importance and immediacy of the quantum threat. These technologies are the furthest along in terms of research and are among Nokia’s highest priority in terms of product development. Quantum security come in two flavors: technologies that use new algorithms that run on conventional hardware and protect data from future quantum attacks, and technologies that use quantum communications to make it impossible to crack encryption keys exchanged over networks.

Here are some of the key quantum security research areas at Nokia and Nokia Bell Labs:
 

• Quantum-resistant cryptography: A new generation of encryption could protect today’s data from a quantum computer-initiated attack. Some technologies like symmetric keys are already widely available. But a promising new field is emerging called post-quantum cryptography (PQC). PQC algorithms use our understanding of quantum computing to create encryption keys that will be extremely difficult for even a quantum computer to crack.
• Quantum key distribution (QKD): Thanks to the principle of quantum entanglement, it is possible to detect whether an eavesdropper tries to intercept any information transmitted in a quantum state. QKD takes advantage of this principle to securely exchange encryption key material over a quantum channel or network.

Quantum sensing 

Quantum sensors will allow us to detect natural phenomena that we have never been able to measure before, such as the electrical impulses in individual human cells or the tiniest changes in magnetic fields or gravity. In addition, quantum sensors will greatly improve on our existing sensors, allowing us to detect with far better precision changes in temperature, pressure, position and even time.

Quantum sensors rely on the fact that the quantum state of particles can be highly sensitive to the slightest variations in temperature, gravity, magnetism, or particle interaction. It is precisely that sensitivity that makes quantum particles such exceptional detection devices.

Here are some of the key quantum sensing research projects at Nokia Bell Labs:
 

• Quantum photon sensors: The quantum mechanical properties of photons can be exploited in new ways for sensing purposes. These sensors could achieve much higher optical resolutions and make more precise physical measurements. Future photon sensors might even be used to detect radio frequencies with a high degree of sensitivity.
• Quantum magnetic field sensors: With magnetic field sensing, we could open up a range of new possibilities for multiple industries. In biosensing, we could use them to detect the faint magnetic fields emitted by living cells. We could also measure the Earth’s magnetic field with such high resolution as to pinpoint exact locations on the globe, even below its surface.

Quantum-safe networking: How quantum technologies impact us today

While quantum computing will provide numerous benefits to the world, there is also a dark side to this new field of innovation.

Today quantum computers can’t solve important real-world problems because their lack of stability produces far too many errors — or noise — to perform calculations efficiently. As further breakthroughs make quantum computers more fault tolerant, however, they will become capable of solving mathematical problems of ever-increasing difficulty. When a quantum computer can support a few thousand error-free qubits, it will be powerful enough to break the most widely used security measures protecting our data and communication. The day this Cryptographically Relevant Quantum Computer (CRQC) comes online is the day that all classical data encryption becomes exposed to attack.

“This day is often referred to as Q-Day,” said Martin Charbonneau, Head of Quantum-Safe Networks, Network Infrastructure Business Group. “It is not a question of if, but when, Q-Day arrives. And when it does, quantum computing will render most current encryption schemes obsolete and threaten the integrity of digital infrastructures and economies. Not only do we need to be prepared for that moment, but we need to begin those preparations now to minimize our risk exposure.”

Depending on whom you ask, CRQCs are expected to emerge anywhere from 10 to 25 years from now. Q-Day may be a long way off, but that doesn’t mean its threat isn’t very real today. Bad actors already are harvesting and storing encrypted data, waiting for the moment that a CRQC is available to decrypt it. Every day, these stores of harvested data increase in size and our potential exposure grows larger.

As trust in our data is of paramount importance, Nokia has made the development of quantum-safe networks a top priority. The foundation of quantum-safe networking lies in a defense-in-depth strategy. This strategy employs multiple layers of encryption, allowing us to immediately utilize existing technologies while taking advantage of future security technologies as they become available.

Nokia has already pioneered quantum-safe networks solutions that focus on symmetric encryption techniques, where data and encryption keys are transmitted separately. We will soon complement symmetric encryption with post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms, which will produce a new generation of asymmetric encryption that will be extremely difficult for even the most powerful quantum computers to crack. As quantum networks continue to evolve, we are proactively preparing to implement quantum key distribution (QKD). QKD is based on the principles of physics, making it impossible for attackers to intercept encryption keys. The idea behind this multi-tiered approach is to create a robust and resilient security infrastructure that can adapt to the evolving quantum security threat.

Quantum simulation wouldn’t just be used to solve problems in the microscopic worlds of biology and chemistry. Once quantum computers achieve enough power, they could help overcome challenges at much larger physical scale, helping to optimize our global infrastructure. Instead of simulating molecules or cells, these quantum optimization solutions would simulate vehicles, shipping containers, machines or transmission lines.

For instance, take the problem of the traveling salesperson. A salesperson must travel to five different cities and wants to make their trip using the least amount of fuel. This is a hard problem to solve mathematically. But as there are only five cities involved, the salesperson could approximate a solution by working it out by hand. However, what if instead of a salesperson, we had a global logistics company with millions of destinations, billions of parcels and hundreds of thousands of vehicles? This is a problem that’s almost impossible for a classical computer to solve. But with a powerful-enough quantum computer or quantum-inspired computer, we could tackle these problems with unprecedented accuracy and efficiency.

While every hospital, chemical producer and logistics company won’t build their own quantum computers — the investment is just too massive — they still will be able to take advantage of the quantum digital twins and quantum optimization. Quantum computing as a service is already emerging as the first quantum computers have come online, allowing companies to buy time on these devices to run their simulations.
 

How will quantum technologies transform networks?

The communications industry in particular will see many benefits from the broad breadth of quantum tools at our disposal. We could apply quantum simulation to our networks to create more powerful and resilient quantum-optimized networks. These networks would improve communication efficiency by maximizing the amount of data we could send using the smallest amount of energy.

With quantum-enhanced communications, we could push the limits of networking in new ways, expanding the amount of information carried in a single photon of light and creating detectors capable of receiving large amounts of data from deep within our solar system.

When Bell Labs applied quantum mechanics to invent the transistor in 1947, it would have been impossible to predict its outsized impact. The transistor was the precursor to the microprocessor, the Internet and the digital world as we know it. The same could very well be true for this next generation of quantum innovation. We’ve identified many applications for quantum technologies already, but there is plenty of potential for new applications to emerge. We are constantly making new breakthroughs in quantum technologies. And with each breakthrough comes new possibilities.

About Nokia

At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think, and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

Media inquiries

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Email: Press.Services@nokia.com
 

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Read more

About Nokia

At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together.

As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think, and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs.

Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future.

Media inquiries

Nokia Communications, Corporate

Email: Press.Services@nokia.com
 

Follow us on social media

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