Global Positioning Scheme via Quantum Teleportation

Quantum teleportation scheme is undoubtedly an inspiring theoretical discovery as an amazing application of quantum physics, which was experimentally realized several years later. For the purpose of quantum communication via this scheme, an entangled ancillary pair shared by Alice and Bob is the essential ingredient, and a quantum memory in Bob's system is necessary for him to keep the quantum state until the classical message from Alice arrives. Yet, the quantum memory remains a challenge in both technology and rationale. Here we show that quantum teleportation provides fresh perspectives in terms of an alternative scheme for global positioning system. Referring to fixed locations of Bob and Charlie, Alice can determine her relative position by comparing quantum states before and after teleporting around via Bob and Charlie successively. This may open up a new scene in the stage of the application of quantum physics without quantum memories.