Quantum Entanglement as a Resource for Next-Generation Wireless Networks
Keywords:
6G, Decoherence, QKD, Quantum entanglement, Quantum internet, Quantum networks, Quantum repeaters, Quantum teleportation, Secure communication, Wireless communicationAbstract
This review article investigates quantum entanglement and its use as a resource for next-generation wireless networks, including 6G and beyond. Quantum entanglement can be described as a uniquely quantum correlation between two particles, such that measurements performed on one particle are strongly correlated with those of the other, regardless of the distance between them. Current wireless networks handle large amounts of data and face several limitations, including persistent security challenges. Quantum entanglement offers a potential resource to overcome some of these limitations. It also forms the basis of technologies such as Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) for generating highly secure encryption keys and quantum teleportation for transmitting a quantum state from one location to another. These concepts are no longer purely theoretical and are now being explored through experimental demonstrations and practical implementations. However, several challenges remain, including decoherence, where interactions with the environment such as heat, vibration, and other sources of noise degrade or destroy entanglement, and hardware scalability, as current systems cannot efficiently support large numbers of qubits. This review article examines these opportunities and challenges, presenting the topic in a manner accessible to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
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