ExpandQISE: Track 1: Virtual Quantum Networks: From Foundations to Field Tests

非技术描述：该项目为量子信息科学与工程（QISE）社区创建了一个通用、开放访问和可编程的量子网络原型，以实验新的量子技术并培训所有专业的教师和学生。开发的新知识和原型有可能通过基于软件而不是基于硬件的解决方案来降低财务成本，支持广泛和可复制的量子研究和教育，建立敏捷，灵活和可扩展的量子网络基础设施，以实现开放和公平的访问，并帮助美国在QISE中击败全球竞争对手。此外，开发的原型是QISE培训和教育的理想选择，教师和学生可以轻松访问，而不需要他们操作复杂量子硬件的先验知识。基于这一原型的新课程将通过现有的合作伙伴计划进一步创建和传播，以培训大量的大学生。技术描述：现有的量子网络系统大多是局部的，小规模的，特定于应用的，让人想起互联网开始的时代。量子网络的未来扩展，如果没有深思熟虑的规划，将不可避免地导致与经典互联网相同的陷阱，如网络僵化。在这个项目中，关键的应用方法是虚拟化，它允许通过敏捷的软件控制快速灵活地实验新的量子技术，而无需进行令人生畏的硬件修改。为此，研究团队启动了一个全面的研究议程，包括三个方面：（1）团队识别和重新设计关键的量子组件，例如，纠缠光子源和探测器，在此基础上，进一步开发了一个软件架构的虚拟量子网络（VQN）的原型。这一推进的目标是为VQN原型奠定基础并创建“骨架”。(2)然后，该团队开发了一套协议来提高VQN原型的效率。它包括用于网络负载平衡的虚拟切片放置和流量路由;排队用户对聚合服务和增加网络容量的请求;以及网络事件，例如，纠缠净化和交换、调度和控制，以实现高质量的虚拟服务。这个推力的目标是功能化和创建VQN原型的“血肉”。(3)VQN原型在量子网络测试平台中实现，并根据几个品质因数进行评估。 此外，还开发了两个应用程序编程接口（API）接口，使全国性大学能够利用这一平台开展可复制的研究和教育活动。该奖项的目标是对VQN原型进行定量评估，并为广泛的QISE社区创建一个开放和教育友好的平台。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Non-technical Description:This project creates a general-purpose, open-access, and programmable quantum network prototype for the quantum information science and engineering (QISE) community to experiment new quantum technologies and train teachers and students of all majors. The developed new knowledge and prototype have the potential to reduce financial costs through software-based rather than hardware-based solutions, support broad and replicable quantum research and education, build an agile, flexible, and scalable quantum network infrastructure for open and equitable access, and help the U.S. out-compete global competitors in QISE. Moreover, the developed prototype is ideal for QISE training and education through its easy access by teachers and students without requiring their prior knowledge of operating complex quantum hardware. A new curriculum based on this prototype will be further created and disseminated through existing partnership programs to train a large body of college students.Technical Description:Existing quantum network systems are mostly local, small-scale, and application-specific, reminiscent of the era of the internet onset. The future expansion of quantum networks, without thoughtful planning, would inevitably lead to the same pitfalls as the classical internet like network ossification. In this project, the key applied methodology is virtualization that permits rapid and flexible experimentation of new quantum technologies via agile software controls, without resorting to daunting hardware modifications. To this end, the research team initiates a comprehensive research agenda consisting of three thrusts: (1) the team identifies and re-designs key quantum components, e.g., entangled photon sources and detectors, based on which a software architecture is further developed for the proposed virtual quantum network (VQN) prototype. The goal of this thrust is to lay the foundation and create the “skeleton” for the VQN prototype. (2) The team then develops a suite of protocols to improve the efficiency of the VQN prototype. It includes virtual slice placement and traffic routing for network load balance; queuing users' requests for aggregated service and increased network capacity; and network event, e.g., entanglement purification and swapping, scheduling, and control for high-quality virtual services. This thrust’s goal is to functionalize and create the “flesh and blood” of the VQN prototype. (3) The VQN prototype is implemented in a quantum-network testbed and evaluated against several figures of merit. Moreover, two Application Programming Interface (API) interfaces are developed to allow nationwide universities to use this platform for replicable research and educational activities. The goal of this thrust is to perform a quantitative assessment on the VQN prototype and create an open and education-friendly platform for the broad QISE community.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.