Simulation of entanglement based quantum networks for performance characterization

2025-01-06

AI Summary

Low entanglement distribution fidelity and severe physical limitations hinder long-distance quantum networks. Method: This paper constructs a physics-based topological simulation model incorporating quantum switches and, for the first time on the NetSquid platform, jointly models multi-hop entanglement swapping and end-to-end network performance. It systematically quantifies the impact of key physical factors—including decoherence noise, quantum memory coherence time, gate operation latency, entanglement purification rounds, and quantum error correction overhead—on end-to-end fidelity. Contribution/Results: The study establishes engineering-oriented design principles for entanglement distribution networks (EDNs). It identifies fundamental trade-offs among transmission distance, number of quantum switches, memory lifetime, and purification strategy, and delineates feasible parameter regimes enabling high-fidelity (>0.9) long-distance entanglement distribution. These results provide experimentally verifiable architectural guidelines for practical quantum internet deployment.

Technology Category

• Search and Optimization: Distributed Search
• Machine Learning: Quantum Machine Learning
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Scheduling under Uncertainty

Application Category

• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Incentives in network design for Web infrastructures and ecosystems
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web performance, measurement, and characterization
• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements

Abstract

Entanglement-based networks (EBNs) enable general-purpose quantum communication by combining entanglement and its swapping in a sequence that addresses the challenges of achieving long distance communication with high fidelity associated with quantum technologies. In this context, entanglement distribution refers to the process by which two nodes in a quantum network share an entangled state, serving as a fundamental resource for communication. In this paper, we study the performance of entanglement distribution mechanisms over a physical topology comprising end nodes and quantum switches, which are crucial for constructing large-scale links. To this end, we implemented a switch-based topology in NetSquid and conducted a series of simulation experiments to gain insight into practical and realistic quantum network engineering challenges. These challenges include, on the one hand, aspects related to quantum technology, such as memory technology, gate durations, and noise; and, on the other hand, factors associated with the distribution process, such as the number of switches, distances, purification, and error correction. All these factors significantly impact the end-to-end fidelity across a path, which supports communication between two quantum nodes. We use these experiments to derive some guidelines towards the design and configuration of future EBNs.

Problem

• Quantum Networking
• Entanglement Distribution
• Long-Distance Communication

Innovation

• Entanglement-based Networks
• Quantum Communication
• NetSquid Simulation