Researchers Examining Challenges of Building Quantum Communication Network Stack

(HPCWire) Delft University Researchers, led by Stephanie Wehner, recently discussed their “A Link Layer Protocol for Quantum Networks” research. Wehner’s group examined the challenges facing building a quantum communication network stack.
So far the efforts have been relatively modest but distances are growing. In their paper, the researchers note short-lived entanglement has been produced probabilistically over “short distances (100 km) on the ground by sending photons over standard telecom fiber as well as from space over 1203 km from a satellite.” These point-to-point communication successes are impressive but can only prepare and measure single qubits and cannot by be concatenated to allow the transmission of qubits over longer distances.
Among the technology needs for effective quantum networking is a robust networking stack whose protocols are specifically designed for quantum.
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