Scientists from Nanjing University have passed major milestones in creating a large-scale quantum internet. They have worked to combine a telecom solid-state quantum memory with a quantum teleportation system. Led by quantum professor Xiao-Song Ma, the collaborative study is looking to better guide the storage of transmitted quantum information. This research is a notable advance in the remote quantum communication community. Ingrid Fadelli wrote about the study in Science X Network on July 21, 2025. The study was published in Physical Review Letters.
To carry out their experiments, the research team employed five one-of-a-kind systems. Specifically, they worked on quantum teleportation from telecom-photons to Erbium-ion-ensembles. This innovative approach demonstrates that quantum information transfer could potentially be realized across networks using devices and optical wavelengths that are compatible with existing telecommunications infrastructure.
Details of the Experiment
With this experiment, Professor Ma and his colleagues sought to advance quantum teleportation into previously uncharted waters. To do so, they cleverly tapped into the special properties of telecom photons. By combining these photons with solid-state quantum memory, they succeeded in effectively storing quantum information.
“We employed five systems to accomplish the experiment,” – Xiao-Song Ma
This very careful setup was absolutely essential in their experiments. It allowed them to do prototyping with different layouts and wireframes, and it helped to make information passing consistently trustworthy. What they found was compelling—their results demonstrated that state transfer could be achieved. They had made double certain that none of the integrity of the relayed information was lost.
This quantum communication breakthrough has exciting future implications for quantum communication systems, where secure data transmission will be critical.
“Our study demonstrated the quantum teleportation from telecom photons to a solid-state quantum memory based on erbium ions for the first time,” – Xiao-Song Ma
Demonstrations indicate our ability to efficiently transmit quantum information over networks. Most importantly, this can be done using components that are already proven to work seamlessly with existing deployed fiber optic systems. This compatibility is what will make integration of quantum technologies into existing telecommunications infrastructure so simple and easy to deploy.
Implications for Quantum Networking
By using the technology we’re accustomed to, adoption of a quantum internet becomes much less cumbersome. Beyond just helping to spur greater usage, it increases the probability of widespread adoption. There are important implications from this study. It moves past theoretical research and into exciting, new possibilities for real-world applications including secure communications and data transmission.
“Our entire system uses components compatible with existing fiber networks perfectly. This telecom-compatible platform for generating, storing and processing quantum states of light establishes a highly promising approach to large-scale quantum networks,” – Xiao-Song Ma
Researchers are just beginning to scratch the surface of what quantum teleportation might bring. This study represents an important step along that path. By successfully integrating a solid-state quantum memory with existing telecom systems, the research lays a foundation for advancing more robust communication technologies.
Future Directions
This dynamic triangulation between Ma’s team and co-author Yu-Yang An underscores the need for interdisciplinary teamwork in advancing quantum research. The paper’s experimental results should encourage further research towards developing better quantum teleportation methods. This will further their deployment in practical, on-the-ground applications.
The collaboration between Ma’s team and co-author Yu-Yang An highlights the importance of interdisciplinary efforts in advancing quantum research. The study’s findings will likely inspire further investigations into optimizing quantum teleportation techniques and expanding their applicability in real-world scenarios.