US Scientists Successfully Transmit Quantum Information Over 21 KM Through Open Air

NEW YORK, August 24, 2026: US scientists have made a significant breakthrough in quantum communications by successfully transmitting and receiving quantum information over a distance of 13 miles, or approximately 21 kilometers, through open air. The achievement could lay the groundwork for highly secure quantum communication networks of the future.

The experiment was conducted by researchers from Brookhaven National Laboratory and Stony Brook University between two specialized facilities in New York. Scientists generated quantum states consisting of a small number of photons using lasers and transmitted them through the atmosphere over 21 kilometers to a receiver equipped with highly sensitive, high-speed detection systems.

A key phase of the experiment was conducted on the night of August 19, when entangled photons were transmitted through the free-space link and successfully received and measured. On August 21, researchers also demonstrated the transmission of quantum states during daylight.

One of the major challenges was atmospheric turbulence, which can distort the path of light and potentially disrupt quantum information. To overcome this problem, researchers employed adaptive optics technology, similar to systems used in astronomical telescopes, to correct distortions caused by atmospheric conditions.

According to scientists, the breakthrough could eventually allow quantum communications to extend beyond underground fiber-optic cables. Free-space optical links could connect locations where installing fiber-optic infrastructure is difficult or expensive.

A major potential advantage of quantum communication is enhanced security. Any attempt to interfere with or measure a quantum state can alter it, potentially making unauthorized interception detectable. This could eventually provide highly secure communication systems for sensitive government, defense, diplomatic and financial applications.

The technology could also enable future networks connecting quantum computers and quantum sensors, opening new possibilities for distributed quantum computing and highly precise scientific measurements.

One of the most significant long-term applications could be space-based quantum communications. Scientists hope that free-space optical links could eventually transmit quantum information between Earth and satellites, and potentially between satellites, helping establish a global quantum network.

The project is also being expanded, with a third free-space optical facility at Yale University expected to enable experiments over a distance of approximately 48 kilometers.

However, scientists say the technology is not yet a replacement for the conventional internet. Significant challenges remain, including longer transmission distances, weather conditions, atmospheric turbulence, photon losses and the need for extremely sensitive equipment.

Nevertheless, the successful 21-kilometer demonstration represents an important step toward the development of a future global and highly secure quantum internet.