Packet Switching in Quantum Networks: A Path to Quantum Internet

TL;DR

This paper introduces packet switching for quantum networks, proposing a new data transmission paradigm that enables classical and quantum data sharing infrastructure, facilitating scalable quantum internet development.

Contribution

It presents a novel packet switching framework for quantum networks, including data frame structures, hardware designs, and simulation analysis for quantum key and entanglement distribution.

Findings

Packet switching is feasible for quantum key distribution.

The proposed scheme supports shared classical-quantum network infrastructure.

Conceptual hardware designs enable implementation of the transmission scheme.

Abstract

Large-scale quantum networks with thousands of nodes require scalable network protocols and physical hardware to realize. In this work, we introduce packet switching as a new paradigm for quantum data transmission in both future and near-term quantum networks. We propose a classical-quantum data frame structure and explore methods of frame generation and processing. Further, we present conceptual designs for a quantum reconfigurable optical add-drop multiplexer to realize the proposed transmission scheme. Packet switching allows for a universal design for a next generation Internet where classical and quantum data share the same network protocols and infrastructure. In this new quantum networking paradigm, entanglement distribution, as with quantum key distribution, is an application built on top of the quantum network rather than as a network designed especially for those purposes. For analysis of the network model, we simulate the feasibility of quantum packet switching for some preliminary models of quantum key and entanglement distribution. Finally, we discuss how our model can be integrated with other network models toward a realization of a quantum Internet.