Quantum Networking Research
Quantum Computing Integration
iCAIR is participating in Northwestern University's INQUIRE (Initiative at Northwestern for Quantum Information Research and Engineering), which was established for quantum science research. This initiative participates in the Chicago Quantum Exchange and The Illinois Express Quantum Network, which includes the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, multiple research universities, several corporations, the StarLight International/National Communications Exchange Facility Consortium, the Metropolitan Research and Education Network (MREN), the Illinois Quantum Information Science and Technology Center (IQUIST) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and other research partners. The network component of this initiative is investigating a) the Quantum Service Layer (e.g., Quantum Entanglement Discovery And Distribution Service: e.g., entangled photonic generation, management, and distribution), b) the Quantum Networking Layer (e.g., SDN Control Functions, e.g., Wavelength Routing, Wavelength Assignment, Path Topology Creation Among Quantum Nodes, Related Devices, c) Quantum Link Layer (e.g., Protocol Layer Managing Quantum signals and Messages Transmitted Through Quantum Channels Among Q-nodes, Monitoring Quantum Link Status and the d) Quantum Physical Layer Physical Connectivity (e.g., Optical Fiber )/Communication Among Quantum Nodes, Determines Quantum Channel Frequencies, Signal Rates, Photon Pulses Used For Quantum Signals et al.
Research topics include a) designing specialized architecture, e.g., customized for applications, b) delineating quantum services, c) quantum information distribution, specialized carriers (e.g., qubits, entangled photons), d) determining what functions should be placed at what level with what components e) topologies, algorithms, interfaces and protocols f) quantum memory, switching/routing g) line of sight (e.g., satellite quantum communications extend distances h) quantum network management, control, and data planes i) space vs. time domains j) integration with classical networks k) quantum measurements, quantum error correction, and l) fiber types e.g., SMF-28 vs hollow core, impedances, wavelengths (lightpaths) vs dedicated fiber, db Loss, etc.
For OFC 2023, iCAIR collaborated with Northwestern's Center for Photonic Communications and Computing to demonstrate on the OFCnet testbed a complete system for distributing and measuring quantum entangled signals over fiber (a project led by NuCrypt). Distributed measurements were collected and controlled from a single location using an embedded optical data link. An optical switch was programmed to send different quantum entangled wavelengths to spatially separated users. The demonstrations centered around using commercially available components that interface to multiple single-photon detectors. The demonstrations of coordinated control of quantum photonic instruments at multiple sites highlighted the capability for robust operation of commercially available quantum optical equipment over existing fiber optic infrastructure.