Wits researchers have surpassed a critical barrier in quantum technology, achieving stable quantum information transfer in the presence of disruptive noise. Led by Distinguished Professor Andrew Forbes, the team engineered a quantum system utilizing topological properties to preserve entanglement , the vital link for quantum data exchange , even as external factors threaten to break the connection. This breakthrough addresses a longstanding challenge in the field, potentially unlocking more reliable quantum computers and networks capable of faster, more secure communication. Building on a decade of research establishing a structured light laboratory at Wits University, Forbes and his team are now collaborating with Huzhou University in China, positioning Africa as a rising force in the global quantum race and challenging the current US-EU dominance.
“What we’ve found is that topology is a powerful resource for information encoding in the presence of noise. It has a large encoding alphabet that is completely immune to the noise as long as just some entanglement persists”
Professor Andrew Forbes, Wits
Advancing Quantum Stability Through Topological Engineering
Wits researchers, led by Professor Andrew Forbes, are pioneering a new approach to quantum stability through topological engineering, a development poised to overcome a significant hurdle in quantum computing. The core challenge lies in preserving the delicate state of entanglement , the fundamental link enabling quantum information exchange , which is easily disrupted by environmental noise. According to Forbes, the team has successfully engineered a quantum system capable of ignoring this noise, marking a substantial advancement in the field and positioning Africa at the forefront of quantum innovation during the International Year of Quantum. This breakthrough directly addresses the long-standing issue of quantum decoherence, a process where entanglement decays and information is lost.
Building on this success, the Wits team utilizes the principles of topology to encode quantum information in a way that is inherently resistant to disruption. Topology, in this context, refers to the properties of quantum states that remain unchanged under continuous deformations, essentially, the ‘shape’ of the quantum information itself. Forbes explains that this method creates a “large encoding alphabet” immune to noise, as long as some entanglement persists between particles. This contrasts with traditional methods that attempt to shield quantum systems from noise, which proves increasingly difficult as systems scale up in complexity and is a critical step towards building practical quantum computers. The team’s approach offers a more robust and scalable solution to maintaining quantum coherence.
“I think I can safely say that no one understands quantum mechanics”
Richard Feynman
This innovation has significant implications for the future of quantum technologies, potentially leading to more stable and reliable quantum computers. By preserving quantum information even when entanglement begins to break down, the Wits team is addressing a key limitation that has hampered the development of practical quantum systems. This advancement could accelerate progress in various fields reliant on quantum computing, including materials science, drug discovery, and cryptography. The ability to ignore noise represents a fundamental shift in how quantum information is handled, paving the way for more complex and powerful quantum computations.
Collaborative Innovation Challenges Global Quantum Dominance
Building on this breakthrough in noise mitigation, Wits researchers are actively fostering collaborative partnerships to accelerate quantum technology development across the African continent. Professor Forbes emphasizes that addressing the complex challenges of quantum computing requires a diverse skillset and shared resources, prompting the establishment of the Quantum Africa Network (QAN) in late 2024. This network connects research groups at Wits University with institutions in Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, personnel, and critical infrastructure. According to the QAN’s founding charter, a key goal is to build local expertise and reduce reliance on established quantum centers in North America and Europe.
“Quantum computing is especially efficient at solving optimisation problems”
Dr. Isaac Nape, Wits
The collaborative model extends beyond academic institutions, incorporating partnerships with local technology companies to translate research into practical applications. Wits University recently announced a joint venture with a South African telecommunications firm to explore the feasibility of quantum-secured communication networks. This initiative focuses on developing prototype systems for secure data transmission, leveraging the noise-resistant quantum states engineered by Forbes’ team. Initial testing will involve establishing a secure link between Johannesburg and Cape Town, with plans to expand the network nationally and potentially regionally. The project is partially funded by a grant from the African Union’s Innovation Fund, highlighting the growing recognition of quantum technology as a strategic priority for the continent.
This emphasis on collaborative innovation is challenging the traditional dominance of established global players in the quantum race. While significant investment and expertise remain concentrated in North America and Europe, the African approach offers a unique advantage: a focus on developing solutions tailored to local needs and resources. Professor Forbes notes that the QAN is actively exploring alternative qubit modalities , the fundamental building blocks of quantum computers , that may be more accessible and cost-effective than current technologies. The network is also prioritizing the development of quantum sensors for applications in environmental monitoring and resource management, addressing critical challenges facing the African continent. This diversified strategy, coupled with strong regional collaboration, positions Africa as a potential disruptor in the global quantum landscape.
Securing the Future with Quantum Technology and Cybersecurity
This advancement in quantum noise mitigation has significant implications for cybersecurity, as current encryption methods are increasingly vulnerable to the processing power of future quantum computers. Existing public-key cryptography, widely used to secure online transactions and sensitive data, relies on the mathematical difficulty of factoring large numbers, a problem quantum computers are predicted to solve efficiently. Consequently, the ability to maintain stable quantum states, as demonstrated by Wits researchers, is crucial for developing quantum-resistant cryptographic protocols and ensuring data security in the coming decades. The team’s work provides a foundational step towards a future where information remains confidential even in the age of quantum computing.
Building on this, the stabilized quantum system allows for the exploration of Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) networks with increased reliability and range. QKD utilizes the principles of quantum mechanics to generate and distribute encryption keys, guaranteeing secure communication because any attempt to intercept the key will inevitably disturb the quantum state and alert the communicating parties. While QKD systems exist today, they are limited by signal loss and noise over long distances, challenges directly addressed by the Wits team’s breakthrough. According to Forbes, the topological properties they engineered provide a robust encoding alphabet, ensuring information integrity even with some entanglement loss, effectively extending the reach and practicality of QKD networks.
The implications extend beyond simply securing communications; this technology could also revolutionize secure data storage. Current data storage methods, even encrypted ones, are susceptible to future decryption by quantum computers. The ability to encode data within topologically protected quantum states offers a fundamentally different approach to data security, creating a form of storage that remains unreadable even if a quantum computer gains access. Wits researchers are actively investigating how to integrate this noise-resistant quantum encoding into solid-state storage devices, potentially creating a new generation of ultra-secure data centers and archival systems. This could be critical for protecting sensitive information held by governments, financial institutions, and healthcare providers.
This breakthrough from Wits University directly addresses a core challenge hindering quantum technology: environmental noise. By stabilizing entanglement, the “spooky” link between particles, Professor Andrew Forbes and his team have paved the way for more reliable quantum systems. This development could enable the construction of quantum networks capable of transmitting information securely and efficiently across vast distances, overcoming limitations previously imposed by signal degradation.
“We can either sit for the next few years and work alone and never make another breakthrough or we can share our knowledge and work with others to get there faster”
Professor Andrew Forbes, Wits
The implications extend beyond quantum computing to fields like secure communication and advanced sensing. For industries relying on data integrity, this represents a significant leap towards unhackable networks. As Africa emerges as an unexpected leader in quantum innovation during the International Year of Quantum, Wits’ research underscores the continent’s growing potential to reshape the future of technology and cybersecurity. This work promises to unlock practical applications of quantum mechanics previously limited by technical constraints.
