at the dawn of the quantum revolution

“The quantum is the revenge of physics. In addition, ” sums up Mathias van den Bossche, research director, technology and products at Thalès Alenia Space. In addition, In two seconds. However, he has just established a secure connection with the laboratory of the Institute of Optics, on the other side of the road. Meanwhile, Connect in text mode to a computer a few tens of meters? Therefore, For a bit, it looks like returning to the genesis of the Internet in the 1960s. Moreover, That’s almost it: what was invented. Moreover, in this small laboratory of the World Research Center of Thales, in Palaiseau (Essonne), these are the basics of the quantum internet.

On a table. In addition, a diagram specifies its functioning: in space, satellites will send to stations on the ground from the follow -up of entangled photons, guaranteeing the inviolability of communications. dawn quantum revolution In addition, Didn’t you understand anything? For example, It’s normal. Therefore, “No one understands quantum mechanics,” said Richard Feynman, Nobel in physics and specialist in the field. Moreover, The quotation is often taken up by another Nobel and a specialist in quantum entanglement, French Alain aspect. Consequently, It is more. However, less he who is at the other end of the line, at the Institute of Optics where he is a teacher.

Second quantum revolution – Dawn quantum revolution

Physics of the infinitely small, quantum mechanics is readily counter-intuitive. But its amazing properties are all power revolutions. Entanglement, for example. Under this strange phenomenon, two particles can remain linked even at great distance. A satellite can thus distribute pairs of “quantum keys” to stations on the ground. Do you want to intercept it? The correlation between the particles will be broken, and you will be spotted. Do you plan to copy it before returning it? dawn quantum revolution Good luck: the laws of quantum physics oppose it.

With artificial intelligence. quantum has become one of the main areas of research in Thalès, to the point that its Palaiseau research center, with its 4000 m² White rooms, has become one of the most important in Europe to work on quantum technologies. Only that of IBM, in Zurich (Switzerland), could compete. Researchers from the French group can also count on synergies. numerous on this Paris-Saclay set where the cream of grandes écoles, startups and hexagonal research is concentrated. Several of its laboratories are also common with the CNRS.

These promises explain the 1.8 billion euros unlocked by the State for the quantum plan. in the hope of embarking this time on the train rather than watching it pass, as with digital. “It’s a break. With the quantum. we will not win 5 or 10 %: we are talking about improvement by dawn quantum revolution a factor 100, 1000, 10,000 ”, analyzes Véronique Guégan, vice-president of Thales Research & Technology.

Measures of unprecedented precision

Illustration with the inertial power station, essential for the positioning of submarines, planes, missiles or drones. To determine its position in space, this autonomous navigation system uses acceleration and rotation sensors, which measure each movement. But tiny errors add up: after a certain time. it becomes necessary to re -order its position with the GPS – at the risk of exposing themselves or discovering a blurred signal. “Over a Paris-New York distance, without GPS with a classic power station, the drift is around a kilometer. With an inertial quantum power station, we can reach a precision of one meter, ”explains Mathieu Dupont-Nivet. 

For this. the engineer uses a cooled atom at a temperature close to absolute zero by lasers – all the difficulty being to hold the device, the first prototype of dawn quantum revolution which occupied the surface of a kitchen table, in the equivalent of a shoe box. A demonstrator could arrive in five years.

Potential revolution for medical imaging

Miniaturization can reach even more impressive proportions. In a neighboring laboratory. common with the CNRS, Sarah Menouni managed to keep the equivalent of an antenna of several hundred meters in the hollow of the hand. Refroit around -200 ° C. this sensor is so sensitive that it could theoretically make it possible to detect submersibles by diving. A first prototype. intended to be embarked by submarines or satellites, could see the light of day at the end of the decade.

But applications are not only concerned with the defense – a favorite market for the French group. whose state remains the first shareholder. This technology has the potential to revolutionize medical imaging: “We could make nano-MRIs on moving patients. with portable devices much smaller than dawn quantum revolution we know,” continues the doctoral student in the Albert-Conrt laboratory.