Random Sampling via Optical Switches more efficient, real-time method for certifying entangled quantum states

https://phys.org/news/2026-02-optical-protocol-entangled-quantum-states.html

"measuring: destroys quantum state leaving no states left for actual use/ requires exponential number of copies as system grows/ usually assumes every state generated by source is identical... overcome using active optical switches creating non-destructive verification... switches randomly divert small subset of photons to verifier for certification; remaining for quantum task... same speed source generates photons... functions even if states not identical, allows device-independent certification ensuring security"