Quantum Networks with Multiple Service Providers: Transport Layer Protocols and Research Opportunities

Abstract

A quantum Internet for communicating information encoded in quantum systems over large distances would enable a host of new technologies to be deployed. While exciting progress has been made in small-scale quantum networks, a global quantum Internet will require - like the classical Internet - communicating in a multiple quantum Internet service provider (multi-qISP) setting, with protocols that are oblivious to the global network topology. Here we give a brief overview of quantum networks aimed at those new to the field, present two network-oblivious transport layer protocols for enabling high fidelity communication and performing fault diagnostics, and highlight a number of research opportunities in this nascent field of research.