aiqbench analysis
This research presents a practical, fibre-integrated buffer architecture for packet-switched quantum networks, addressing the critical need to delay qubit payloads while routing header information in real time. By utilizing an ultra-low-loss poled fibre phase modulator within standard telecom infrastructure, the study achieves stable operation with storage times up to 47 µs and a manageable bit error rate of 1.8%. This advancement is essential for scaling quantum internet deployments by enabling efficient packet-level buffering directly compatible with existing optical networks.
An optical-fibre-integrated buffer for packet-switched quantum networks
arXiv:2608.04093v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Packet-switched quantum networks require buffers that can delay qubit payloads while routing information is read out in real time. Previous approaches have not provided this functionality in a fully fibre-integrated architecture compatible with telecom infrastructure. Here we demonstrate an optical-fibre-integrated buffer, based on a recirculating loop and a fibre storage line, in which the storage time of a polarisation-encoded qubit payload is determined by readout of an attached packet header. The key component behind this achievement is an ultra-low-loss poled fibre phase modulator, which provides fast, polarisation-insensitive switching directly in fibre and allows header and payload to be processed within the buffer. We demonstrate storage and retrieval of polarisation-encoded qubit payloads for storage times up to 47 $\mu$s, with an average quantum bit error rate of 1.8% together with stable operation over several hours. These results establish a practical fibre-based architecture for packet-level quantum network buffering that can easily integrate into the current telecommunication infrastructure opening up new paths for deployment of the quantum internet.
Abstract:Packet-switched quantum networks require buffers that can delay qubit payloads while routing information is read out in real time. Previous approaches have not provided this functionality in a fully fibre-integrated architecture compatible with telecom infrastructure. Here we demonstrate an optical-fibre-integrated buffer, based on a recirculating loop and a fibre storage line, in which the storage time of a polarisation-encoded qubit payload is determined by readout of an attached packet header. The key component behind this achievement is an ultra-low-loss poled fibre phase modulator, which provides fast, polarisation-insensitive switching directly in fibre and allows header and payload to be processed within the buffer. We demonstrate storage and retrieval of polarisation-encoded qubit payloads for storage times up to 47 $\mu$s, with an average quantum bit error rate of 1.8% together with stable operation over several hours. These results establish a practical fibre-based architecture for packet-level quantum network buffering that can easily integrate into the current telecommunication infrastructure opening up new paths for deployment of the quantum internet.
11 pages, 8 figures. Please see the parallel paper "Poled-fibre phase modulator for efficient high-dimensional quantum measurements'' that was submitted today to the arXiv
Quantum Physics (quant-ph); Optics (physics.optics)
arXiv:2608.04093 [quant-ph]
(or arXiv:2608.04093v1 [quant-ph] for this version)
https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2608.04093 arXiv-issued DOI via DataCite (pending registration)
Full text under the publisher's open licence · 209 words
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