QIRG - Quantum Internet Research Group

IETF 125 - Shenzhen, China Monday, March 24, 2025

Chairs:

Rod Van Meter
Wojciech Kozlowski

## Summary

The QIRG session at IETF 125 focused on evolving architectural frameworks for quantum-enabled networks, the physical timing constraints of quantum hardware, and the validity of specific quantum applications. Key highlights included progress on the multiplane architecture draft, a provocative critique of quantum clock synchronization, and the introduction of a new scalable quantum network simulator, Multiverse. The group also discussed the newly submitted architecture proposal from the chairs' team and coordinated for the upcoming meeting in Vienna.

## Key Discussion Points

### 1. Administration and Document Status

Presenter: Rod Van Meter Slides: QIRG Chair Slides

Document Updates:
- draft-irtf-qirg-qi-multiplane-arch: Adopted by the RG.
- draft-upenn-qirg-fwm-control: No update; authors are actively working on it.
- draft-vander-venter-qirg-clocksync: New draft being presented for the first time.
- draft-cacciapuoti-qirg-quantum-native-arch: Update expected before IETF 126.
- draft-hajdusek-qirg-timing-physics: New draft being presented.
New Submission: Rod Van Meter announced a new architecture draft (uploaded just before the meeting) detailing the architecture his team is currently implementing.

### 2. Multiplane Architecture Proposal

Presenter: Diego R. Lopez Slides: draft-irtf-qirg-qi-multiplane-arch - A Multiplane Architecture Proposal for the Quantum Internet Draft: draft-irtf-qirg-qi-multiplane-arch

Technical Focus: The draft aims for a "quantum-enabled internet" that integrates with classical infrastructure using SDN and virtualization principles.
Refinements: Recent updates shifted focus from QKD-specific patterns to generalized quantum distribution. The term "forwarding" was replaced with "distribution" to emphasize shared state and multipartite entanglement.
Service Units: Diego R. Lopez introduced "Service Units" as the quantum equivalent of transport flows—end-to-end relationships providing a service.
Discussion:
- Rod Van Meter noted terminology confusion between "levels" and "strata."
- Wojciech Kozlowski questioned the definition of "aggregation." Diego R. Lopez clarified that it refers to grouping services for policy application, similar to classical IP subnets.
- Oscar van der Venter raised concerns regarding telemetry and "weak measurements." Diego R. Lopez confirmed this is a research area aimed at monitoring without destroying quantum states.

### 3. Critique of Quantum Clock Synchronization

Presenter: Oscar van der Venter Slides: RFC9583 Clock Sync is not a valid Quantum-Internet Application Draft: draft-vander-venter-qirg-clocksync

Technical Argument: Oscar van der Venter argued that quantum clock synchronization, as cited in literature referenced by RFC 9583, is fundamentally flawed because "photons do not carry time."
Circular Reasoning: He highlighted a "bootstrapping" flaw: many protocols assume existing entanglement to synchronize clocks, but establishing that entanglement requires synchronized clocks.
Discussion:
- Diego R. Lopez expressed interest from an operator perspective, as clock sync is a high-value use case.
- Wojciech Kozlowski (as Chair) requested a title change to the draft to clarify that the critique is directed at the academic references within RFC 9583, rather than the RFC itself, to avoid implying a flaw in the RG's published document.

### 4. Timing Regimes in Quantum Networks

Presenter: Mone Tokuyama Slides: draft-hajdusek-qirg-timing-physics-00 -Timing Regimes in Quantum Networks and their Physical Underpinnings (timing-regimes-IETF125) Draft: draft-hajdusek-qirg-timing-physics

Content: The draft maps quantum phenomena to a timeline spanning 20 orders of magnitude (femtoseconds to hours).
Key Components:
- Interferometric Stabilization: Requires sub-picosecond precision for photon indistinguishability.
- Hardware Tasks: Basis selection (seconds/milliseconds) and optical switching.
- Software Tasks: Connection setup, routing table updates, and background monitoring.
Discussion:
- Roman asked about technology independence. Mone Tokuyama explained that while the architecture may be similar, specific timing requirements vary drastically between hardware like ion traps vs. SPDC sources.
- Diego R. Lopez suggested restructuring the document to clearly separate classical interaction, technology implications, and measurement impacts.

### 5. Multiverse Simulator

Presenter: Ammar Slides: Multiverse: a simulator for quantum networks architectures

Scalability: Ammar introduced Multiverse, designed to avoid the performance bottlenecks of photon-level simulators (like Quisp) by using analytical models for entanglement success probabilities.
Features: Supports different link architectures, memory management, and a unified qubit life cycle using a Finite State Machine (FSM).
Discussion:
- Winston inquired about satellite link support. Ammar stated it is currently fiber-focused but extensible via the modeling framework.
- Rod Van Meter confirmed that photon-level event simulation becomes impractical at gigahertz rates and praised the "skip-ahead" analytical approach for large-scale network modeling.

## Decisions and Action Items

Draft Naming: Oscar van der Venter agreed to rename his draft or adjust the title to clarify it critiques the references in RFC 9583.
Collaboration: Ammar to share the source code link for the Multiverse simulator on the QIRG mailing list.
Technical Formatting: Mone Tokuyama and Rod Van Meter to resolve figure upload issues in the timing-physics draft using IETF toolsets.

## Next Steps

Multiplane Architecture: Diego R. Lopez plans to present a practical demonstration/Proof of Concept (PoC) of the framework at IETF 126 in Vienna.
New Architecture Draft: The group is encouraged to review the newly submitted draft by Rod Van Meter’s team (tentatively titled draft-van-meter-qirg-architecture).
IETF 126 (Vienna): Wojciech Kozlowski will explore connecting with the EuroQCI community to bring broader European entanglement-networking perspectives to the next meeting.
Draft Updates: Authors of draft-cacciapuoti-qirg-quantum-native-arch and draft-upenn-qirg-fwm-control are expected to provide updates before May to prevent expiration.

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