On the Bipartite Entanglement Capacity of Quantum Networks

We consider the problem of multipath entanglement distribution to a pair of nodes in a quantum network consisting of devices with nondeterministic entanglement swapping capabilities. Multipath entanglement distribution enables a network to establish end-to-end entangled links across any number of available paths with preestablished link-level...

Quantum Network Utility Maximization

Network Utility Maximization (NUM) is a mathe-matical framework that has endowed researchers with powerful methods for designing and analyzing classical communication protocols. NUM has also enabled the development of distributed algorithms for solving the resource allocation problem, while at the same time providing certain guarantees, e.g.,...

An Architecture for Control of Entanglement Generation Switches in Quantum Networks

Entanglement between quantum network nodes is often produced using intermediary devices - such as heralding stations - as a resource. When scaling quantum networks to many nodes, requiring a dedicated intermediary device for every pair of nodes introduces high costs. Here, we propose a cost-effective architecture to connect many quantum...

NetQASM—a low-level instruction set architecture for hybrid quantum–classical programs in a quantum internet

We introduce NetQASM, a low-level instruction set architecture for quantum internet applications. NetQASM is a universal, platform-independent and extendable instruction set with support for local quantum gates, powerful classical logic and quantum networking operations for remote entanglement generation. Furthermore, NetQASM allows for close...

Optimizing entanglement generation and distribution using genetic algorithms

Long-distance quantum communication via entanglement distribution is of great importance for the quantum internet. However, scaling up to such long distances has proved challenging due to the loss of photons, which grows exponentially with the distance covered. Quantum repeaters could in theory be used to extend the distances over which...

Designing a quantum network protocol

The second quantum revolution brings with it the promise of a quantum internet. As the first quantum network hardware prototypes near completion new challenges emerge. A functional network is more than just the physical hardware, yet work on scalable quantum network systems is in its infancy. In this paper we present a quantum network protocol...

A P4 Data Plane for the Quantum Internet

The quantum technology revolution brings with it the promise of a quantum internet. A new --- quantum --- network stack will be needed to account for the fundamentally new properties of quantum entanglement. The first realisations of quantum networks are imminent and research interest in quantum network protocols has started growing. In the non...

Certification of a functionality in a quantum network stage

We consider testing the ability of quantum network nodes to execute multi-round quantum protocols. Specifically, we examine protocols in which the nodes are capable of performing quantum gates, storing qubits and exchanging said qubits over the network a certain number of times. We propose a simple ping-pong test, which provides a certificate...

A link layer protocol for quantum networks

Quantum communication brings radically new capabilities that are provably impossible to attain in any classical network. Here, we take the first step from a physics experiment to a quantum internet system. We propose a functional allocation of a quantum network stack, and construct the first physical and link layer protocols that turn ad-hoc...

Parameter regimes for a single sequential quantum repeater

Quantum key distribution allows for the generation of a secret key between distant parties connected by a quantum channel such as optical fibre or free space. Unfortunately, the rate of generation of a secret key by direct transmission is fundamentally limited by the distance. This limit can be overcome by the implementation of so-called...

SimulaQron—a simulator for developing quantum internet software

We introduce a simulator of a quantum internet with the specific goal to support software development. A quantum internet consists of local quantum processors, which are interconnected by quantum communication channels that enable the transmission of qubits between the different processors. While many simulators exist for local quantum...

Multiplexed entanglement generation over quantum networks using multi-qubit nodes

Quantum networks distributed over distances greater than a few kilometres will be limited by the time required for information to propagate between nodes. We analyse protocols that are able to circumvent this bottleneck by employing multi-qubit nodes and multiplexing. For each protocol, we investigate the key network parameters that determine...

Asynchronous reference frame agreement in a quantum network

An efficient implementation of many multiparty protocols for quantum networks requires that all the nodes in the network share a common reference frame. Establishing such a reference frame from scratch is especially challenging in an asynchronous network where network links might have arbitrary delays and the nodes do not share synchronised...