Entanglement generation in a quantum network with finite quantum memory lifetime

TL;DR

This paper uses simulations to analyze how finite quantum memory lifetimes affect entanglement distribution in quantum networks, highlighting the importance of protocol scheduling for optimal performance.

Contribution

It introduces a simulation framework to evaluate entanglement generation in quantum networks with finite memory, providing insights into protocol impacts and performance limits.

Findings

Performance depends on entanglement management protocols.

Memory lifetime and number of repeaters limit connection quality.

Analytical and numerical results identify optimal conditions.

Abstract

We simulate entanglement sharing between two end-nodes of a quantum network using SeQUeNCe, an open-source simulation package for quantum networks. Our focus is on the rate of entanglement generation between the end-nodes with many repeaters with a finite quantum memory lifetime. Our findings demonstrate that the performance of quantum connection depends highly on the entanglement management protocol scheduling entanglement generation and swapping, resulting in the final end-to-end entanglement. Numerical and analytical simulations show limits of connection performance for a given number of repeaters involved, memory lifetimes for a given distance between the end nodes, and an entanglement management protocol.