6 Quantum networking: The basics

So far, we’ve talked about quantum computing. Computing is indeed an important part of the software world, but most applications developed by today’s software developers do not work in isolation. On the contrary, applications typically contain different modules that may not be located on the same server. They talk to external components, such as over REST interfaces. They read and write information from and to data storage systems. In general, software is distributed. One of the key elements to get a complete software application working is a reliable, predictable network of computers. Figure 6.1 shows a typical setup of a classical application that combines various modules over a network.

Classical computing relies heavily on a classical network. Similarly, quantum computing can benefit from quantum networks, as we learn in this chapter.

6.1 Topology of a quantum network

6.2 Obstacles to quantum networking

6.2.1 Classical networking in Java

6.2.2 No-cloning theorem

6.2.3 Physical limitations on transferring qubits

6.3 Pauli-Z gate and measurement

6.3.1 Pauli-Z gate

6.3.2 Measurements

6.4 Quantum teleportation

6.4.1 The goal of quantum teleportation

6.4.2 Part 1: Entanglement between Alice and Bob

6.4.3 Part 2: Alice’s operations

6.4.4 Part 3: Bob’s operations

6.4.5 Running the application

6.4.6 Quantum and classical communication

6.5 A quantum repeater

Summary