Entanglement from the quantum internet to quantum neuroscience

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Entanglement is a unique feature of quantum physics. In classical physics the dynamics of a composite system can always be understood in terms of its parts. In contrast, entangled quantum systems have to be thought of as one integrated whole, even if they are kilometers apart. This is the foundation for new quantum applications. The long-term vision is a "quantum internet" based on entanglement which promises secure quantum communication, enhanced precision for various sensing applications ranging from atomic clock networks to better telescopes, and classically unattainable computing power. One main part of the present project is to design blueprints and key hardware elements for such a quantum internet. My focus is on solid-state architectures where the spins of individual quantum systems serve for local quantum information processing, while photons serve as information carriers between those spins. (Spin is a unique quantum feature similar to classical angular momentum, and photons are the elementary particles of light.) Spins and photons are also the key elements in the second main part of this project, which is dedicated to "quantum neuroscience", that is to the question whether quantum entanglement could play a role in the brain. There are two main motivations for investigating this possibility. On the one hand, the holistic character of entanglement provides a unique potential solution to the question how our unified conscious experience arises from the dynamics of myriads of individual molecules in our brains (the "binding problem" of consciousness). On the other hand, the fact that quantum technology has unique capabilities makes it natural to ask whether nature may also have found a way to harness these effects for information processing. It is natural to consider spins and photons in this context because they can preserve their quantum properties even in condensed-matter environments at high temperatures. As a consequence of this commonality in the underlying physical systems, there are significant synergies between the two parts of my research program. The proposed research will lead to new proposals and proof-of-principle experiments for the design of the future quantum internet based on entanglement, which will enable many desirable quantum applications that will enhance our privacy, our ability to sense many important parts of our environment, and our computing power. This research will also give rise to new proposals and experiments addressing the question whether quantum effects such as entanglement could play a role in the brain, which may bring us one step closer to understanding the mystery of consciousness.