**Session Date/Time:** 16 Mar 2026 01:00 # [QIRG](../wg/qirg.html) - 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](https://datatracker.ietf.org/meeting/125/materials/slides-125-qirg-qirg-chair-slides-00) * **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](https://datatracker.ietf.org/meeting/125/materials/slides-125-qirg-draft-irtf-qirg-qi-multiplane-arch-a-multiplane-architecture-proposal-for-the-quantum-internet-00) **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](https://datatracker.ietf.org/meeting/125/materials/slides-125-qirg-rfc9583-clock-sync-is-not-a-valid-quantum-internet-application-00) **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)](https://datatracker.ietf.org/meeting/125/materials/slides-125-qirg-draft-hajdusek-qirg-timing-physics-00-timing-regimes-in-quantum-networks-and-their-physical-underpinnings-timing-regimes-ietf125-00) **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](https://datatracker.ietf.org/meeting/125/materials/slides-125-qirg-multiverse-a-simulator-for-quantum-networks-architectures-00) * **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.