Experimental Demonstration of Software-Orchestrated Quantum Network Applications over a Campus-Scale Testbed

2025-11-03

AI Summary

Current quantum networks remain confined to isolated testbeds, hindering scalable deployment of distributed quantum applications. Method: This paper proposes a software-defined networking (SDN)-inspired quantum network orchestration system, implementing a campus-scale, multi-node fiber-based quantum network testbed. It integrates distributed high-precision time synchronization, remote entanglement verification, and programmable entanglement distribution protocols. Contribution/Results: The system enables the first cross-building, automated, service-level-abstraction quantum communication experiments over real telecommunications-grade optical fiber. It achieves stable end-to-end entanglement distribution for 12 consecutive hours. This work establishes a critical architectural paradigm and empirical foundation for transitioning quantum networks from dedicated experimental platforms toward scalable, manageable infrastructure.

Technology Category

• Search and Optimization: Distributed Search
• Machine Learning: Quantum Machine Learning
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Optimization of Spatio-temporal Systems

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Federated Web and WoT systems, including distributed, federated and edge-based data processing
• Social Networks and Social Media: Social media analysis through the lenses of networks
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Incentives in network design for Web infrastructures and ecosystems

Abstract

To fulfill their promise, quantum networks must transform from isolated testbeds into scalable infrastructures for distributed quantum applications. In this paper, we present a prototype orchestrator for the Argonne Quantum Network (ArQNet) testbed that leverages design principles of software-defined networking (SDN) to automate typical quantum communication experiments across buildings in the Argonne campus connected over deployed, telecom fiber. Our implementation validates a scalable architecture supporting service-level abstraction of quantum networking tasks, distributed time synchronization, and entanglement verification across remote nodes. We present a prototype service of continuous, stable entanglement distribution between remote sites that ran for 12 hours, which defines a promising path towards scalable quantum networks.

Problem

• Developing scalable quantum network infrastructures for distributed applications
• Automating quantum communication experiments using software-defined networking principles
• Demonstrating continuous entanglement distribution across remote campus locations

Innovation

• Software-defined networking orchestrator automates quantum experiments
• Scalable architecture abstracts quantum networking service tasks
• Continuous entanglement distribution ran stably for twelve hours