Inside the company selling quantum entanglement
New Scientist
March 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Qunnect, a Brooklyn-based company, is at the forefront of developing quantum entanglement technology for secure communication systems. After nearly a decade of research, Qunnect has created practical devices that enable the sharing of entangled photons—particles of light with properties so interconnected they can’t be observed independently. This breakthrough could revolutionize cybersecurity by creating an "unhackable" quantum internet. Using specialized equipment like lasers, lenses, and crystals, Qunnect packages its technology into sleek, magenta-colored Carina racks, which are designed to facilitate entanglement swapping across long distances.
In a recent experiment, Qunnect successfully transferred entanglement between photon pairs over 17.6 kilometers of fiber-optic cables connecting Brooklyn and Manhattan. This process involves creating entangled photons using rubidium atoms and laser light, then sending them through a network of fibers to locations like New York University and Columbia University. The Carina racks can handle up to 5,400 entanglement swaps per hour, significantly outperforming previous experiments that achieved half this rate or less. Qunnect’s system is designed to operate autonomously for weeks at a time, with devices controlled remotely by researchers.
While quantum internet technology is still in its early stages, Qunnect and other global initiatives (such as networks in Hefei, China, and Chicago) are making strides toward practical applications. One potential use is integrating entangled photons into classical communication streams to detect unauthorized access attempts. Another promising application could be verifying the location of individuals exchanging sensitive information, adding an extra layer of security. Despite challenges like photon loss over long distances, Qunnect’s work demonstrates that quantum entanglement can already offer real-world benefits for secure communication systems.
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Originally published on New Scientist on 3/2/2026