Towards a Quantum Internet: Status, Challenges and Progress*

Future quantum networks [1] may harness the unique features of entanglement in a range of exciting applications, such as blind quantum computation, secure communication, enhanced metrology for astronomy and time-keeping as well as fundamental investigations. To fulfill these promises, a strong worldwide effort is ongoing to gain precise control over the full quantum dynamics of multi-particle nodes and to wire them up using quantum-photonic channels. 

Here I will introduce the field of quantum networks and discuss the current status and challenges. I will then give an overview of our latest work on the realization of a multi-node network in the lab including first protocols and teleportation, on increasing the distance between nodes to metropolitan scales, on development of next-generation devices with improved quantum spin-photon interfaces, and on the development of a quantum network control stack.

 

[1] Quantum internet: A vision for the road ahead, S Wehner, D Elkouss, R Hanson, Science 362 (6412), eaam9288 (2018).