Researchers have been working on developing a new military “quantum laser” that has the capability to cut through fog and operate effectively over long distances. Darpa, the Agency for promising research projects of the US defense, has provided a grant of $1 million to create a prototype of a “quantum photon diplomatic laser”. This technology utilizes quantum confusion to combine light particles and produce a highly concentrated laser beam.
Laser technology plays a vital role in various military operations, satellite communications, hijacking technologies, cartography, and tracking systems like Lidar. Traditional lasers function by stimulating electrons in atoms that oscillate together. As these electrons transition from a high energy state to a low energy state, they emit coherent light with the same wavelength and phase.
By employing confusing photons, the quantum photon diplomatic laser is able to maintain precision and power over large distances and in challenging conditions, as described in a statement by scientists. This characteristic makes quantum lasers more effective for military applications such as surveillance and secure communication in harsh environments.
As explained by the project manager, Associate Professor Jun-Tsung Shen of the Department of Electric and System Engineering at the University of Washington in St. Louis, photons carry information during their travel but are heavily impacted by the atmosphere. When paired photons are connected, they can protect each other even in atmospheric conditions, preserving a portion of phase information.
The Quantum Diplomatic Laser functions by pairing photons through Quantum confusion, a complex phenomenon in quantum mechanics where particles become interconnected to the extent that one particle instantaneously influences the state of the other, irrespective of distance. Photon pairs connected through Quantum confusion act as a whole, making their manipulation simpler and enhancing the laser’s energy and stability.
A previous study conducted by the Shen team, published in December 2020, showcased how the technology of a quantum photon diplomatic laser could enhance deep visualization of the human brain. This study utilized photon pairs to map intricate neural structures. The technology also has potential applications in quantum computing and telecommunications, potentially leading to faster and more secure data transmission methods.
Shen stated, “We are leveraging the properties of confusion to create something groundbreaking. Quantum technology enables us to accomplish things that were once just a dream, and we are only scratching the surface of its potential.”