Scaling Limits of Quantum Repeater Networks

Quantum networks (QNs) are a promising platform for secure communications, enhanced sensing, and efficient distributed quantum computing. However, due to the fragile nature of quantum states, these networks face significant challenges in terms of scalability. In this paper, the scaling limits of quantum repeater networks (QRNs) are analyzed. The goal of this work is to maximize the overall length, or scalability of QRNs such that long-distance quantum communications is achieved while application-specific quality-of-service (QoS) requirements are satisfied. In particular, a novel joint optimization framework that aims at maximizing QRN scalability, while satisfying QoS constraints on the end-to-end fidelity and rate is proposed. The proposed approach optimizes the number of QRN repeater nodes, their separation distance, and the number of distillation rounds to be performed at both link and end-to-end levels. Extensive simulations are conducted to analyze the tradeoffs between QRN scalability, rate, and fidelity under gate and measurement errors. The obtained results characterize the QRN scaling limits for a given QoS requirement. The proposed approach offers a promising solution and design guidelines for future QRN deployments.