Quantum Entanglement: A New Way to Prove Physical Location

Physicist Abigail Gookin reported on March 18, 2026, at the American Physical Society’s Global Physics Summit, that scientists have demonstrated a quantum technique capable of verifying that an individual is in the specific location they claim to be.

The technique, known as quantum position verification, utilizes the principles of quantum entanglement. Entanglement is a phenomenon where two or more particles become intrinsically linked and share a unified quantum state, regardless of the distance separating them.

How Quantum Position Verification Works

The verification process involves two verifiers and one prover. The verifiers are positioned on opposite sides of the location where the prover claims to be.

To begin the process, the verifiers each send a random number to the prover. This information is used by the prover to determine their subsequent actions.

Simultaneously, one of the verifiers generates a pair of entangled photons. The verifier retains one photon and sends the second photon to the prover. The prover and the verifier then measure their respective photons at the same time to confirm the location.

Potential Applications and Security Implications

This quantum technique has several potential applications for enhancing security and restricting access to sensitive resources.

• The method could be utilized to prevent specific types of phishing attacks.
• It could be used to limit access to sensitive infrastructure, such as nuclear weapons facilities, ensuring that only individuals physically present within a secure government building can gain access.

this method may become a component of a future quantum internet, which is envisioned to provide various forms of ultrasecure communications.