Scaling Quantum Networks via Phase-Stable Vacuum Beam Guide: Architectural Blueprint and Benchmark

TL;DR

This paper proposes a phase-stable vacuum beam guide architecture for large-scale quantum networks, leveraging insights from LIGO to address phase decoherence and attenuation, and benchmarks its viability across multiple quantum applications.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed physical-layer blueprint for quantum networks using vacuum beam guides, supported by empirical data and stability analysis from LIGO.

Findings

No fundamental technical barriers to scaling the infrastructure.

Benchmarking shows compatibility with quantum communication, metrology, and computation.

Empirical data supports the system-level viability of the proposed architecture.

Abstract

Scaling quantum networks to continental distances requires physical infrastructure capable of overcoming both exponential attenuation and severe phase decoherence. While the concept of vacuum beam guide (VBG) has recently emerged as a promising low-loss solution, we move beyond it by proposing a rigorous physical-layer architectural blueprint anchored by empirical data and methods from Advanced LIGO, particularly regarding its interferometric stability in dynamic environments. To evaluate its system-level viability, we benchmark this architecture against various protocols across quantum communication, metrology, and computation. Ultimately, we identify no fundamental technical blockers to scaling this infrastructure.