Acceleration disrupts quantum teleportation, a new study has shown (Paul Alsing, University of New Mexico, 505-277-9094).
In quantum teleportation (see PNU #350), researchers create a pair of particles (such as photons) and cause them to interact so their properties become interrelated (a process called "entanglement"). Subsequently, after the particles go their separate ways, one can measure the first particle's properties (such as the direction its electric field is wiggling), destroy the particle (a requirement), and then instantly transmit (or "teleport") its exact properties to the second particle, even if it ends up being light years away.
Quantum teleportation is different from Star Trek teleportation in that real-life physicists are only teleporting a particle's properties, rather than the particle itself. Now, a new analysis has shown that quantum teleportation would malfunction if the receiver of the second particle is accelerating relative to the first particle. (Coincidentally, spaceships in Star Trek usually don't teleport crew members when they accelerate into warp drive.)
The disruption to quantum teleportation arises from the Davies-Unruh effect (see Physical Review Focus article), in which acceleration, even in empty space, creates a bath of hot particles resulting from the energy of the acceleration. This thermal bath of particles inextricably disrupts the receiver's ability to perfectly recreate (with the second accelerated particle) the properties of the first (unaccelerated) particle that have been teleported from the sender. While this effect is small for typical accelerations in Earthly labs the result shows an interesting relationship between the effects of space-time motion and the quantum world. (Alsing and Milburn, Physical Review Letters, 31 October 2003)
In quantum teleportation (see PNU #350), researchers create a pair of particles (such as photons) and cause them to interact so their properties become interrelated (a process called "entanglement"). Subsequently, after the particles go their separate ways, one can measure the first particle's properties (such as the direction its electric field is wiggling), destroy the particle (a requirement), and then instantly transmit (or "teleport") its exact properties to the second particle, even if it ends up being light years away.
Quantum teleportation is different from Star Trek teleportation in that real-life physicists are only teleporting a particle's properties, rather than the particle itself. Now, a new analysis has shown that quantum teleportation would malfunction if the receiver of the second particle is accelerating relative to the first particle. (Coincidentally, spaceships in Star Trek usually don't teleport crew members when they accelerate into warp drive.)
The disruption to quantum teleportation arises from the Davies-Unruh effect (see Physical Review Focus article), in which acceleration, even in empty space, creates a bath of hot particles resulting from the energy of the acceleration. This thermal bath of particles inextricably disrupts the receiver's ability to perfectly recreate (with the second accelerated particle) the properties of the first (unaccelerated) particle that have been teleported from the sender. While this effect is small for typical accelerations in Earthly labs the result shows an interesting relationship between the effects of space-time motion and the quantum world. (Alsing and Milburn, Physical Review Letters, 31 October 2003)
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