Could data be accelerated to speeds faster than the speed of light instead of spaceships?

Accelerating matter to near the speed of light requires a lot of energy. In theory, demand increases infinitely at a speed faster than the speed of light. But what about communication? Could it be sped up that much using the same method? That’s it Lorenzo Perry from the University of Cornwall. His conclusion: It depends.

There are several scientific concepts for a warp drive, one of which is called the Alcubierre drive. In addition to many practical problems, the need for negative energy is one of the main reasons it is considered immaterial: negative energy has never been proven. But there are theories that the mysterious “dark energy” of space could be negative energy.

But even if: the need for negative energy for a warp drive is higher than the “estimated total energy of the observable universe.” Theoretically, the impulse creates opposing regions of space-time expansion and contraction via quantum inequalities, displacing the central region and thus making spatial change possible.

For communications, the power requirements will be more than 70 times smaller. Perry proposes a different configuration, in which supertubes mitigate major defects in macroscopic torsion engines. They can speed up and slow down ultrawaves. They transfer data. By the way, the term superwaves also comes from a science fiction author, Isaac Asimov.

Although the energy requirements are much smaller than in a warp drive, thanks to focusing on a small point, the negative energy density associated with it would still be enormous. However, Alcubierre’s method is particularly energy-intensive. The next step might be to turn to alternative arrays, Perry advises.

“Even if we are able to generate enough energy for future megaprojects,” he writes, “we need to figure out how to concentrate it.” Perry says recently demonstrated quantum teleportation could be useful in this regard.

He mentions some additional requirements: for example, you need microchips that enable ultra-bright computing. In addition to the problem of negative energy, theoretical modifications are required. Quantum mechanics must be adapted to very small ultrawaves.

In addition to practical hyperwave communication protocols, the science of (hyper)light communication also requires a greater understanding of the gravitational effects of negative energy released by quantum systems.

Physicists still have a lot of work to do before they can communicate ultra-luminously. Certainly, moving in this direction could significantly speed up communication channels.