Implications of communication through quantum entanglement

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of communication through quantum entanglement within a science fiction universe that incorporates faster-than-light (FTL) travel. Participants explore theoretical applications of entanglement for communication, including potential limitations and technological advancements, while also considering the impact on stealth technology and encryption methods.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that entanglement could allow for communication without direct measurement comparison, suggesting a scenario where urgent messages could be sent despite limitations.
  • Another participant raises the idea of using entangled photons for quantum radar, speculating on its implications for stealth technology and military applications.
  • Concerns are expressed about the feasibility of communication via entanglement, referencing the No-Communication Theorem, which suggests that such communication is impossible.
  • Some participants discuss the potential for using entanglement in encryption key exchanges, considering the limitations of quantum computers in cracking large keys.
  • There is a suggestion that the introduction of extra dimensions could circumvent traditional physics constraints, allowing for FTL communication without relying solely on quantum mechanics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility of communication through quantum entanglement, with some supporting its potential applications in a fictional context, while others argue against its possibility based on established quantum principles. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the practical implications and limitations of such communication methods.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the dependence on speculative physics, the unresolved nature of how entanglement could be utilized for communication, and the challenges posed by established quantum theorems. The discussion also reflects a blend of fictional narrative and theoretical physics without consensus on the viability of proposed ideas.

GTOM
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I am building an SF universe. While it is very similar to ours, but casual FTL exists. I don't think Lorentz transformations shouldn't work at all, but rather extra dimensions can somehow circumvent them. One kind of FTL is direct communication through entanglement.

There can be two version of it. (Actually i plan two story arc. In the first, humans find much more advanced alien tech, that allows a rapid technological jump, that turns the fate of the whole solar system.)
In the first version, measurement breaks entanglement, but its possible to extract useful data without directly compare measurements on both sides. In the second, it is possible to communicate without depleting the set of entangled pairs, but it still has constraints like a hyperspace jump, or somekind of enemy countermeasure can break entanglement, so it isn't a good idea to rely on FTL droning (which is pretty much fun killer).

So what could be the implications of the first version of entaglement based communication?

Due to its serious limits, common people on Earth couldn't just chit-chat with people on Mars without delay times.
I think the use of it has to be restricted to very urgent, important messages. They couldn't possibly tap into it unless they directly hack the endpoints.
It can be also used to swap encryption keys. I guess even though quantum computers could crack present day encryptions fast, but they still don't have infinite calculating power, so its possible to swap so large encryption keys, that even traditional radio communication can be safe.

An interesting application would be quantum radar, send out entangled photons, keep their pairs in the radar, and notice they change, when the emitted photons hit something.
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/a28818232/quantum-radar/(I am not sure how it actually works, theese kind of articles tend to extrapolate things, i don't intend to say it relies on FTL signaling, still, it inspired me. And in my universe, a quantum radar could really rely on FTL stuff.)

Would that mean that stealth aircraft would lose its significance? (Although simply detect something isn't the same as getting exact coordinates, or guide a missile to it.)
In space we can already say no stealth unless something can mask all heat emission, which is practically impossible with ignited rockets. That hypothetical quantum radar is still an active sensor, so it isn't that hard to locate and destroy them with directed energy (laser, EMP) weapons. That quantum radar don't ignore background, so celestial bodies still offer the possibility of stealth, hide.

What can be other issues, that i missed?
 
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Isnt any SF literature that could help? I opened the topic, since i haven't been able to imagine something like that quantum radar.
 
GTOM said:
Isnt any SF literature that could help? I opened the topic, since i haven't been able to imagine something like that quantum radar.

Check out a recent paper from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria by S. Barzanjeh, S. Pirandola, D. Vitali, and J. M. Fink that describes an experimental quantum radar approach.
 
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GTOM said:
I am building an SF universe. While it is very similar to ours, but casual FTL exists. I don't think Lorentz transformations shouldn't work at all, but rather extra dimensions can somehow circumvent them. One kind of FTL is direct communication through entanglement.
...
So what could be the implications of the first version of entaglement based communication?
...
What can be other issues, that i missed?
Sorry to be a party-pooper but communication by entanglement is impossible. There is a theorem which proves it, called, would you believe?, the No-Communication Theorem. If I've understood you correctly, you are happy to introduce "extra dimensions" to get your FTL, so you don't need to use anything quantum anyway. You can use the full panoply of real quantum phenomena especially those with application in communications. They are perfectly real, but they stick to the speed limit. Of course it's a local speed limit, not an end-to-end one, so you can use your FTL mechanism for a shortcut. Just keep the FTL and the quantum stuff separate.
 

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