Scalable Quantum Network Architectures and Their Simulations

Prototypes of metropolitan optical quantum networks based on different technologies are currently under construction around the world. Interconnecting these heterogeneous quantum networks, scaling the number of users, and increasing communication distances requires developing a network architecture with a control plane that is robust, decentralized, and secure. We describe how the modularized design of the Simulator of QUantum Network Communication (SeQUeNCe) we developed allows comparisons of alternative architecture designs that assign different roles to layers in the control protocol stack. We also demonstrate the practical use of the simulator by comparing the impact of factors such as memory allocation policies and classical control message latencies on overall network throughput. Finally, we also show our preliminary results with scaling the SeQUeNCe simulator to 100+ node simulations by optimizing quantum state representations and utilizing supercomputers at the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility.