Image of the Milky Way, taken by NASA (Image: NASA/Hubble)
One of the biggest uncertainties surrounding humanity concerns the possibility of extraterrestrial life. UK researchers are now aiming to speed up this discovery process. Scientists at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, have compiled a mathematical model that, according to them, can enhance communication between humans and extraterrestrials through space, via quantum physics.
According to the gate science alert, Efforts are underway to make quantum communications a reality on Earth. The report shows that quantum mechanics provides certain properties that make the transmission of information faster and more secure than ordinary systems.
Theoretical physicists Arjun Berera and Jaime Calderón-Figueroa, both at the University of Edinburgh, performed calculations on the movement of X-rays in the vacuum of space to check potential decoherence (quantum state collapse). They determined that if particles of light were used as quantum particles, they could radiate for at least hundreds of thousands of light-years, a distance that spans a distance greater than the entire Milky Way galaxy.
According to the scientists, the novelty allows networks to move through space with greater safety and less risk of collapse or interference.
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“It is plausible that photon-mediated quantum communication can be established across interstellar spaces, especially for photons in the X-ray region below the electron mass,” the researchers wrote in an article published in Physical Review.
For them, the “grand information transfer” possible using a quantum signal would make it attractive to any extraterrestrial intelligence in the universe.
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Charlotte Whitmore is a contributor at Mediarunsearch.co.uk, covering a broad range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sport, entertainment, and lifestyle. She focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting and practical information that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. Her work highlights stories that matter to everyday audiences, with an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessible journalism that keeps readers connected to the issues shaping the UK and beyond.