China has reportedly entered a new era in quantum technology with the mass production of ultra-sensitive photon detectors. According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), Beijing calls this device the “world’s first ultra-low noise, four-channel single-photon detector”, a claim that, if accurate, could have vast implications in both communication and defense sectors.
The breakthrough device, created by the Quantum Information Engineering Technology Research Center in China’s Anhui province, can reportedly detect even a single photon, the smallest measurable unit of light energy.
Such sensitivity enables the device to identify even the faintest light signals, a core requirement for quantum communication and radar technology. The mass production of this photon catcher signifies that China is pushing toward self-sufficiency in critical quantum components, minimizing reliance on foreign technology.
Traditional radar systems struggle against stealth aircraft such as the F-22 and F-35, which use radar-absorbing materials and internal weapon bays to evade detection. Quantum radars, however, function differently they rely on entangled photons whose quantum states shift upon contact with an object. As the report explains, “even false signals generated by the aircraft cannot replicate the quantum properties of these photons.”
When these photons bounce back, their altered states reveal the precise location and movement of stealth jets. Quantum radars are also said to consume less energy, operate more discreetly, and enhance tracking of low-visibility targets, giving them a distinct edge in next-generation warfare.
The newly unveiled four-channel photon detector reportedly enhances radar imaging, enabling the system to simultaneously detect and track multiple signals from different light sources. According to Chinese claims, this version is one-ninth the size of similar single-channel detectors used elsewhere, allowing for more compact and energy-efficient systems.
The Science and Technology Daily, a publication of China’s Ministry of Science and Technology, detailed the new detector’s potential beyond radar particularly in quantum communication networks and national defense systems.
Meanwhile, the United States continues to advance its own military aviation. As Reuters reported, the U.S. Navy’s sixth-generation fighter program is underway, and the Air Force’s F-47 is expected to take flight by 2028, with Boeing already contributing to its development. This parallel race in cutting-edge technology highlights the escalating tech rivalry between the U.S. and China.