This work argues that the absence of utility-driven network formation is not solely a consequence of immature applications, but also of insufficient abstraction, and that quantum interconnects constitute the enabling technology required to decouple physical implementations from network functionalities.
Abstract
The realization of large-scale quantum networks requires more than advances in quantum repeaters, memories, and processors, it requires a framework explaining how heterogeneous quantum technologies evolve from isolated deployments into interconnected infrastructures. While the classical Internet evolved under strong utility incentives associated with resource sharing and communication demands, quantum networking currently lacks dominant applications capable of generating comparable incentives. As a consequence, contemporary quantum networks are largely formed through technology-driven decisions motivated by technical feasibility, experimental validation, and expected future value. This work argues that the absence of utility-driven network formation is not solely a consequence of immature applications, but also of insufficient abstraction. In particular, heterogeneous quantum platforms remain tightly coupled to the functionalities they provide, preventing the definition of technology-independent utility functions. A hierarchical architecture consisting of Physical Platforms (PP), Functionalities (F), Services (S), Applications (A), and Use-Cases (UC) is proposed, together with the argument that quantum interconnects constitute the enabling technology required to decouple physical implementations from network functionalities. Such decoupling permits the definition of utility functions at the functionality level and establishes the conditions under which strategic (agent-based) network formation becomes applicable. Quantum interconnects should therefore be viewed not only as interoperability devices, but also as fundamental enablers of strategic quantum network evolution.
This study highlights the gap between theoretical developments and real-world deployment, and outlines future research directions required for building scalable and practical quantum network infrastructures.
Moushumi Barman, Gypsy Nandi· SN Computer Science· 0 citations
Distributed Quantum Computing (DQC) enables scalable quantum execution by interconnecting multiple quantum processing units (QPUs) through quantum networks. In DQC, end-to-end performance is jointly affected by circuit partitioning, entanglement routing, scheduling, and heterogeneous hardware characteristics. However, existing studies often optimize these components independently, providing limited understanding of their cross-layer interactions. In this paper, we present a cross-layer joint-optimization study for DQC using the previously developed SimDisQ-Net simulator. Through simulations, we find that circuit orchestration is one of the dominant factors affecting distributed execution quality, while network-layer mechanisms provide secondary but still meaningful improvements. We further demonstrate that traditional communication metrics, such as hop count or remote-gate count alone, are insufficient predictors of execution quality due to the strong interaction among path fidelity, hardware characteristics, and circuit structure. Motivated by these findings, we propose a topology-aware fidelity proxy (TAFP) evaluation approach that approximates distributed execution fidelity, enabling efficient evaluation of candidate circuit optimizations without time-consuming simulation. Our results highlight the importance of integrated circuit-network orchestration for scalable DQC.
Yeong Lim Tan, Sen Zhang, Haneen Alfauri et al.· Proceedings of the 3rd ACM S...· 0 citations
Quantum networks play a pivotal role in quantum information science, which not only provide a secure communication platform for remote access to quantum computers but also serve as the strategic core for achieving large-scale quantum information processing, forming the foundational infrastructure for the future global-scale quantum internet. Quantum teleportation, which enables the transmission of unknown quantum states over long distances by employing quantum entanglement together with classical communication, is essential for the distribution of quantum resources in the construction of the global-scale quantum internet. To realize a global-scale quantum internet, quantum repeater protocols represent one of the most promising approaches for enabling quantum communication between any nodes. This concise review presents representative experimental demonstrations of quantum teleportation for constructing quantum networks across different physical platforms. Along this trajectory, the review discusses current challenges, open issues, and future perspectives toward scalable and practical quantum internet.
Yang-Bin Ma, Yunru Fan, Ri-Yao Song et al.· 0 citations
This study proposes a novel scheme for distributing GHZ-equivalent states across repeater-based quantum networks, with particular focus on the analysis and mitigation of decoherence effects during transmission. The proposed scheme enables remote users to share graph states, which can be leveraged to implement various quantum communication protocols, such as quantum key distribution and quantum secret sharing. Compared with existing approaches, the proposed distributed scheme requires only O(N) qubits without introducing redundant entanglement structures. Together with the linear-scaling merging procedure in both controlled gate count and qubit usage, the proposed framework supports more efficient large-scale graph state distribution. To evaluate its feasibility and correctness, this study utilizes the quantum network simulation tool, NetSquid, to implement the proposed scheme. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed approach is both effective and practical for executing quantum communication protocols within quantum networks.
Quantum networks are advancing towards larger and more operational infrastructures, yet their evaluation remains fragmented across heterogeneous physical platforms, simulators, protocols, and architectural abstractions. Current digital-twin studies for quantum networks mainly realise isolated capabilities or application-specific solutions rather than reusable system-level twins. This paper argues that Model-Driven Engineering (MDE) can provide a systematic basis for integrating and evolving these heterogeneous artefacts. It derives requirements for design-time evaluation and runtime synchronisation, and proposes a progression of architectures from code-driven and domain-model-driven solutions to point-to-point and hub-and-spoke integration. A conceptual implementation case study illustrates this using SysML v2, QKD kit, an EMF-based controller, and SeQUeNCe. The work provides a foundation for adaptable and interoperable digital twins for quantum networks.
Amal Elsokary, Hayato Ishida, Ran Wei et al.· 0 citations
This paper presents the third installment in a series reviewing contemporary solutions in quantum information technologies. Seven thematic areas are surveyed: (1) quantum control engineering, covering theoretical foundations, open-loop and feedback architectures, and industrial optimization use cases; (2) quantum radar, examining quantum illumination principles alongside the fundamental power and decoherence barriers to practical deployment; (3–4) the integration of quantum technologies with embedded systems and the Internet of Things, including quantum random number generators, nitrogen-vacancy magnetometers, miniaturized atomic clocks, and post-quantum cryptographic protocols such as QKD; (5) quantum simulation, contrasting analog and digital approaches with an emphasis on recent large-scale experiments demonstrating quantum utility; (6) quantum haptic interfaces for education, molecular simulation, and research visualization; and (7) quantum entanglement theory, tracing the path from the EPR paradox through Bell’s theorem to the 2022 Nobel Prize. Across these domains, the paper identifies recurring engineering challenges — particularly decoherence, scalability, and the transition from laboratory demonstrations to industrial deployment — and highlights the growing convergence of quantum physics with control theory, embedded computing, and applied engineering.
Łukasz Czarnacki, Hubert Kowalczyk, Marcin Krawiec et al.· International Journal of Ele...· 0 citations
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