✍︎ Caryl Jane Ordeñiza
In the modern digital world, verifying a person’s identity is common, but verifying their physical location is much more difficult. Traditional communication systems allow signals to be copied, delayed, or forwarded, making it possible for someone to pretend they are in a place where they are not. However, scientists believe that quantum physics may provide a solution to this problem.
Quantum position verification uses the principles of quantum physics, the branch of science that studies how matter and energy behave at very small scales, such as atoms and subatomic particles. The field of quantum physics emerged in the late 1800s and early 1900s, when scientists discovered that energy and matter behave in ways that classical physics could not explain. These discoveries led to the development of quantum theory, which focuses on understanding how particles behave at the atomic and subatomic levels.
One of the earliest scientists to contribute to this field was Max Planck, a German physicist who proposed in 1900 that energy is not emitted continuously but in small packets called quanta. For example, light of a fixed frequency delivers energy in units called photons. Each photon carries the same amount of energy, which cannot be divided into smaller units. In fact, the word “quantum” comes from a Latin term meaning “how much.”
One of the key ideas behind this research is a phenomenon called quantum entanglement. Quantum entanglement occurs when two particles become linked in such a way that the state of one particle is directly related to the state of another, even when they are separated by large distances. When scientists measure one particle, the other responds in a predictable way. This unusual connection has fascinated physicists for decades and is now being explored for practical applications in technology and security.
According to physicist Abigail Gookin, who reported the research on March 18 at the American Physical Society’s Global Physics Summit, this quantum method could help ensure that a person or device is actually located where they claim to be. If someone attempts to fake their location, the timing and behavior of quantum signals could reveal the deception.
If successfully developed, quantum position verification could improve security in many areas, including cybersecurity, satellite communication, and future quantum internet systems. By using the unique properties of quantum physics, scientists may be able to create systems that not only verify identity but also confirm the true physical location of a device or user.
References:
Caltech Science Exchange. (n.d.). What is quantum physics? https://scienceexchange.caltech.edu/topics/quantum-science-explained/quantum-physics
Caltech Science Exchange. (n.d.). What is entanglement and why is it important? https://scienceexchange.caltech.edu/topics/quantum-science-explained/entanglement
Harris, M., & Harris, M. (2025, February 28). Quantum science and technology: Highlights of 2025. Physics World. https://physicsworld.com/a/quantum-science-and-technology-highlights-of-2025/
