For fans of science fiction, “quantum” is the go-to explanation for unbelievable phenomena, such as time travel or teleportation. Marvel took the practice to a new level in the 2023 film “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania,” in which the title characters are accidentally sucked into the Quantum Realm − “a reality where all concepts of time and space become irrelevant as you shrink for all eternity,” according to the fictional Dr. Hank Pym.
It’s true that principles of quantum mechanics − the interactions and behavior of tiny subatomic particles − sound like something from a movie. But quantum science has been the subject of serious study at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for decades, and East Tennessee is emerging as a leader in quantum networking that uses subatomic particles to securely move information.
ORNL works on four quantum areas: computing, materials, networking and sensing.
Quantum computing takes advantage of processes like superposition and entanglement (more on those in a bit) to solve massive problems that classical computers struggle with. These computers show special promise for optimization problems, such as which chemical compounds are best for treating certain diseases, and they offer a lower security risk.
But quantum is tricky for people who don’t work in labs to understand because the interactions between the tiniest particles on Earth don’t follow the physical laws that govern the world we live in.
“We live in the classical world. When we push something, it falls down. Quantum works differently,” Kate Evans, director of the lab’s Office of Institutional Strategic Planning, told Knox News. “Anytime you have something in science that’s not easily tangible, it’s hard to explain.”
Superposition, a fundamental principle of quantum mechanics, is the observation that particles can exist in multiple states at once. Quantum entanglement, perhaps the most fictional sounding and famous quantum process, occurs when two particles are correlated across distance.
When two photons (the smallest units of light) are entangled, whatever scientists do to one is observable in the other. They are not communicating with each other, but they are correlated − even across a galaxy.
Quantum physicists at ORNL can create entangled photons and move them through their research network of 300 kilometers of cables, said Shaun Gleason, director of Science-Security Initiative Integration in the lab director’s office.
“You would have to be a quantum physicist to use our network, but it has tremendous capabilities to advance the frontiers of quantum science and quantum networking,” Gleason said. “It’s a very well controlled, tunable environment.”
The lab has one of the world’s longest research quantum networks and is one of five Department of Energy quantum centers. East Tennessee is also unique thanks to the lab’s partnership with EPB in Chattanooga on the nation’s first commercially available quantum network.
Scientists say the network, made of commercially available components, is a crucial step toward the ultimate goal of building a “quantum internet.”
ORNL hosts first Southeastern Quantum Conference
Whereas classical computers use bits − either a one or zero − as the smallest units of information, quantum computers use qubits. Qubits are not binary; they can be a one, a zero or anything in between.
That makes quantum computers very powerful, even though existing systems are mostly small prototypes. Scientists across the world are working to integrate quantum computers with classical computers, and ORNL will soon catch up: The lab could have a quantum computer sometime in the next six months to a year, Gleason said.
One benefit of quantum computers is security. Hackers cannot tap into quantum computers without essentially destroying the information they are seeking, Gleason said.
“It’s basically impossible to tap into a quantum network like you would a classical network and eavesdrop and sort of steal or peel off some of that information and decode what’s being moved across the network,” Gleason said.
That makes the computers ideal for national security applications, and the U.S. government is already an early adopter of the technology. The tech could one day make it into personal technology like laptops and phones, though classical computers aren’t going away.
“The internet is interwoven in our daily lives,” said Marcel Demarteau, director of ORNL’s physics division and co-chair of the Southeastern Quantum Conference. “I think in a similar way, the whole quantum computing and quantum network will be an integral part. … We will not give it a second thought.”
ORNL hosted the first Southeastern Quantum Conference on Oct. 28-30, bringing a select group of leading quantum scientists from around the world to Knoxville. The event showed that scientists across the globe are moving further beyond the theoretical, said Evans, the conference co-chair.
“Now, we’re moving beyond discovery to a full understanding and then to control,” Evans said. “We do think there’s a potential for quantum sciences to be revolutionary.”
Knoxville Chamber’s 2030 Protocol wants quantum network
To achieve a quantum network capable of functioning like the internet, scientists will have to extend the networks of cables across larger distances.
The Knoxville Chamber created a strategy called The 2030 Protocol to prepare the city for an economic future shaped by computing. The plan calls for the lab’s quantum network to be connected to the Pellissippi Corporate Center and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
To meet workforce needs of a computing-based economy, the chamber’s plan calls on UT and Pellissippi State Community College to drastically increase the number of students enrolled in engineering and computer science programs.
“We’ve got a foot in the door to be a leader in quantum,” Mike Odom, president and CEO of the Knoxville Chamber, told Knox News.
Daniel Dassow is a growth and development reporter focused on technology and energy. Phone 423-637-0878. Email daniel.dassow@knoxnews.com.
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