The quantum internet has taken a major step forward TechRadar Skip to main content TechRadar is supported by its audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here's why you can trust us. The quantum internet has taken a major step forward By Will McCurdy published 17 July 2022 A new discovery could help quantum hardware communicate better (Image credit: Pixabay) Audio player loading… The development of a so-called quantum internet may have just seen a significant breakthrough, experts have declared. Research from a team Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada published in the scientific journal Nature (opens in new tab) provides proof of principle that T centers, a specific luminescent defect in silicon, can provide a 'photonic link' between qubits (quantum computing's counterpart to the binary digit or bit of classical computing). As successfully harnessing quantum technology would benefit from communications technology that enables these qubits to link together at scale, this could be a huge step forward. What does this all mean If the research is to be believed, these "T centers" have the advantage of emitting light at the same wavelength that today's metropolitan fiber communications and telecom networking equipment utilize. So according to Stephanie Simmons, Canada Research Chair in Silicon Quantum Technologies this means you could "build quantum processors that inherently communicate with other processors" and "when your silicon qubit can communicate by emitting photons (light) in the same band used in data centres and fiber networks, you get these same benefits for connecting the millions of qubits needed for quantum computing". Allowing quantum computing to use the existing communications technology already being utilized at a massive scale in world of traditional silicon computing could be a huge step for the emerging technology.READ MORE: > IBM says it will have thousands of quantum computers for sale by 2025> Alphabet spins off its quantum computing arm > Our guide to the best cloud storage This isn't the only announcement in recent weeks that implies the worlds of quantum and classical computing could be shifting closer together. Dubbed Nvidia Quantum Optimized Device Architecture, or QODA for short, Nvidia has announced a new platform it says aims to make quantum computing more accessible by creating a coherent hybrid quantum-classical programming model. Users working on HPC and AI projects will apparently be able to use the platform to add quantum computing to existing applications, using both current quantum processors, as well as simulated future quantum machines.Want to host your own scientific research in the cloud? Check out our guide to the best cloud hosting Will McCurdyWill McCurdy has been writing about technology for over five years. He has a wide range of specialities including cybersecurity, fintech, cryptocurrencies, blockchain, cloud computing, payments, artificial intelligence, retail technology, and venture capital investment. He has previously written for AltFi, FStech, Retail Systems, and National Technology News and is an experienced podcast and webinar host, as well as an avid long-form feature writer. See more Computing news Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to theTechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Thank you for signing up to TechRadar. You will receive a verification email shortly. There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again. MOST POPULARMOST SHARED1The iPhone 14 Pro is made of the wrong stuff; the Pixel 7 proves that to me2Stop saying Mario doesn't have an accent in The Super Mario Bros. Movie3Google Pixel Tablet is what Apple should've done ages ago4RTX 4090 too expensive? Nvidia resurrects another old favorite5Blizzard made me explain Overwatch 2 smurfing to my mum for nothing1Logitech's latest webcam and headset want to relieve your work day frustrations2Best offers on Laptops for Education – this festive season3Apple October launches: the new devices we might see this month4Google's AI editing tricks are making Photoshop irrelevant for most people5Best laptops for designers and coders Technology Magazines (opens in new tab)● (opens in new tab)The best tech tutorials and in-depth reviewsFrom$12.99 (opens in new tab)View (opens in new tab)