Entanglement distribution in quantum networks via swapping of partially entangled pure states

TL;DR

This paper explores how entanglement swapping protocols can distribute entanglement across various quantum network topologies using partially entangled pure states, analyzing success probabilities and entanglement evolution.

Contribution

It extends entanglement swapping analysis to complex network topologies with partially entangled states, providing new insights into entanglement dynamics and distribution success.

Findings

Success probabilities for entanglement generation vary with network topology.

Partially entangled states can be effectively used for entanglement distribution.

Entanglement evolution depends on initial state transformations and network configuration.

Abstract

The entanglement swapping protocol (ESP) is a fundamental primitive for distributing quantum correlations across distant nodes in a quantum network. Recent studies have demonstrated that even when the involved qubit pairs are only partially entangled, it is still possible to concentrate and transmit entanglement via Bell-basis measurements. In this work, we extend these ideas to quantum networks with various topologies--including linear, star, and hybrid configurations--by analysing the application of the ESP to initially partially entangled pure states. We investigate how entanglement evolves under such protocols by considering the transformations of the initial states and evaluating the success probabilities for generating maximally entangled states at the output. Our results offer new insights into the dynamics of the entanglement distribution in quantum networks.