Unlike other types of information, it is impossible to perfectly reproduce or clone quantum information.
For instance, it is not possible to use a single photon and create several photons that have the same, accurate quantum state.
If quantum information can be cloned perfectly like other things, signals can be sent at a speed that is greater than the speed of light. However, this is prohibited according to Einstein's theory of relativity.
In a research study reported in Physical Review Letters, a research team comprising Christoph Simon, Wolfgang Tittel and Sadegh Raeisi at the University of Calgary’s Institute for Quantum Information Science (IQIS) have demonstrated the possibility of perfectly recovering the original quantum information from its imperfect copies. They also hypothesized an experiment to perform the perfect recovery of original quantum information.
Simon informed that scientists were surprised when they came to know about the inability to perfectly clone the information for quantum systems. Hence, the study on the possibilities and impossibilities of quantum systems gains significance.
The study can be utilized in a broad array of ways. At first, it clearly demonstrates that the quantum information is saved when copied. It also shows that the recovery of the original quantum state is possible even if the copies are imperfect. This finding is practically helpful in designing a quantum physics-based precision measurement technique for very-low-contrast samples, such as live cells.
Simon explained that quantum physics governs this world at the basic level, not classical physics. The IQIS team is working on understanding the consequences of quantum information in order to develop new types of quantum technology.
Source: http://www.ucalgary.ca