The development of a future global quantum communication network (or quantum Internet) will enable high-rate private communication and entanglement distribution over very long distances.However, the large-scale performance of ground-based quantum networks (which employ photons as information carriers through optical fibers) is fundamentally limited by fiber quality and link length, with the latter being a primary design factor for practical network architectures.While these fundamental limits are well established for arbitrary network topologies, the question of how to best design global architectures remains open.In this work, we introduce a large-scale quantum network model called weakly regular architectures.Such networks are capable of idealizing network connectivity, provide freedom to capture a broad class of spatial topologies, and remain analytically treatable.This allows us to investigate the effectiveness of large-scale networks with consistent connective properties and unveil critical conditions under which end-to-end rates remain optimal.Furthermore, through a strict performance comparison of ideal groundbased quantum networks with that of realistic satellite quantum communication protocols, we establish conditions for which satellites can be used to outperform fiber-based quantum infrastructure, rigorously proving the efficacy of satellite-based technologies for global quantum communications.
The development of a future global quantum communication network (or quantum Internet) will enable high-rate private communication and entanglement distribution over very long distances.However, the large-scale performance of ground-based quantum networks (which employ photons as information carriers through optical fibers) is fundamentally limited by fiber quality and link length, with the latter being a primary design factor for practical network architectures.While these fundamental limits are well established for arbitrary network topologies, the question of how to best design global architectures remains open.In this work, we introduce a large-scale quantum network model called weakly regular architectures.Such networks are capable of idealizing network connectivity, provide freedom to capture a broad class of spatial topologies, and remain analytically treatable.This allows us to investigate the effectiveness of large-scale networks with consistent connective properties and unveil critical conditions under which end-to-end rates remain optimal.Furthermore, through a strict performance comparison of ideal groundbased quantum networks with that of realistic satellite quantum communication protocols, we establish conditions for which satellites can be used to outperform fiber-based quantum infrastructure, rigorously proving the efficacy of satellite-based technologies for global quantum communications.
The development of a future, global quantum communication network (or quantum internet) will enable high rate private communication and entanglement distribution over very long distances. However, the large-scale performance of ground-based quantum networks (which employ photons as information carriers through optical-fibres) is fundamentally limited by the fibre quality and link length. While these fundamental limits are well established for arbitrary network architectures, the question of how to best design these global architectures remains open. In this work, we take a step forward in addressing this problem by modelling global quantum networks with weakly-regular architectures. Such networks are capable of idealising end-to-end performance whilst remaining sufficiently realistic. In this way, we may investigate the effectiveness of large-scale networks with consistent connective properties, and unveil the global conditions under which end-to-end rates remain analytically computable. Furthermore, by comparing the performance of ideal, ground-based quantum networks with satellite quantum communication protocols, we can establish conditions for which satellites can be used to outperform fibre-based quantum infrastructure.
A large scale quantum network requires the distribution of high-fidelity end-to-end entanglement. To overcome the range limitations inherent to terrestrial fiber, a leading architecture has emerged: satellite-based sources transmitting entanglement to quantum repeaters on the ground. By bridging the gap between abstract analytical frameworks and computationally heavy numerical simulations, this paper provides the first quantitative answer to the question of such a network's achievable performance with current and near-term space technology, while accounting for entanglement swapping and purification. This is achieved by integrating a detailed physical model of a satellite-to-ground link into an analytical entanglement resource estimation framework for quantum repeaters, enabling an optimization of the end-to-end entanglement rate. Our analysis, performed across leading quantum hardware platforms, shows that Low Earth Orbit satellite constellations combined with quantum repeaters employing Neutral Atom or Nitrogen and Silicon Vacancy qubits, could enable a global quantum network, distributing entanglement over distances up to 20,000 km, sufficient for connecting any two points on Earth. This work highlights the major bottlenecks in space and quantum hardware technologies, which need to be addressed, thereby guiding informed investments necessary for enabling a large scale quantum network.
Future quantum networks will be hybrid structures, constructed from complex architectures of quantum repeaters interconnected by quantum channels that describe a variety of physical domains; predominantly optical-fiber and free-space links. In this hybrid setting, the interplay between the channel quality within network substructures must be carefully considered, and is pivotal for ensuring high-rate end-to-end quantum communication. In this work, we combine recent advances in the theory of point-to-point free-space channel capacities and end-to-end quantum network capacities in order to develop critical tools for the study of hybrid, free-space quantum networks. We present a general formalism for studying the capacities of arbitrary, hybrid quantum networks, before specifying to the regime of atmospheric and space-based quantum channels. We then introduce a class of modular quantum network architectures, which offer a realistic and readily analyzable framework for hybrid quantum networks. By considering a physically motivated, highly connected modular structure we are able to idealize network performance and derive channel conditions for which optimal performance is guaranteed. This allows us to reveal vital properties for which distance-independent rates are achieved, so that the end-to-end capacity has no dependence on the physical separation between users. Our analytical method elucidates key infrastructure demands for a future satellite-based global quantum internet, and for hybrid wired and wireless metropolitan quantum networks.
The efficacy of a communication network hinges upon both its physical architecture and the protocols that are employed within it. In the context of quantum communications, there exists a fundamental rate-loss trade-off for point-to-point quantum channels such that the rate for distributing entanglement, secret keys, or quantum states decays exponentially with respect to transmission distance. Quantum networks are the solution to overcome point-to-point limitations, but they simultaneously invite a challenging open question: How should quantum networks be designed to effectively and efficiently guarantee high rates? Now that performance and physical topology are inexorably linked, this question is not easy, but the answer is essential for a future quantum internet to be successful. In this work, we offer crucial insight into this open question for complex optical-fiber quantum networks. Using realistic descriptions of quantum networks via random network models and practical end-to-end routing protocols, we reveal critical phenomena associated with large-scale quantum networks. Our work reveals the weaknesses of applying single-path routing protocols within quantum networks, observing an inability to achieve reliable rates over long distances. Adapting algorithms for multipath routing, we employ an efficient and practical multipath routing algorithm capable of boosting performance while minimizing costly quantum resources.
Satellite-based quantum networks are emerging as a promising solution for the development of a global quantum internet in the near future. The ability to leverage the advantageous lower attenuation of optical signals from satellites to ground presents an exciting opportunity to establish a robust and secure quantum communication infrastructure on a global scale. By utilizing a constellation of satellites, it becomes feasible to continuously distribute high-fidelity quantum entanglements among ground stations over long distances, overcoming the limitations of traditional terrestrial-based quantum communication systems. In this article, we first provide a brief survey of existing solutions for satellite-based entanglement distribution, highlighting the various approaches and technologies that have been employed in this rapidly evolving field. We then delve into a formulated optimal entanglement distribution problem, aiming to optimize the distribution of quantum entanglement resources across the satellite network to maximize efficiency and reliability. This problem is addressed through a detailed exploration of several different methodologies and algorithms, each tailored to specific operational settings and constraints. Our experimental results confirm the efficiency of these approaches and provide valuable insights into their practical implementation and performance. Finally, we identify several key directions for further study and development in the realm of satellite-based quantum networks.
Quantum networks hold promise for key distribution, private and distributed computing, and quantum sensing, among other applications. The scale of such networks for ground users is currently limited by one’s ability to distribute entanglement between distant locations. This can in principle be carried out by transmitting entangled photons through optical fibers or satellites. The former is limited by fiber-optic attenuation, while the latter is limited by atmospheric extinction and diffraction. Here, we propose a hybrid network and protocol that outperform both ground- and satellite-based designs and lead to high-fidelity entanglement at a continental or even global scale.