Quantum researchers create first operating system for quantum networks
Quantum Internet Alliance researchers at TU Delft, QuTech, University of Innsbruck, INRIA and CNRS have announced the creation of the first operating system designed for quantum networks, QNodeOS. The new operating system marks a major step forward in transforming quantum networking from a theoretical concept to a practical technology that could revolutionize the future of the internet, TU Delft said.
Paving the way for software development
The research, published in Nature, shows that the new quantum network operating system will be removing barriers for developers, potentially accelerating the adoption and innovation of quantum networking technology. Much like how traditional operating systems democratized classical computing, QNodeOS aims to make quantum networks accessible to a broader range of developers.
By effectively eliminating the barrier between networking hardware and software, as quantum scientists no longer need to know specific programming languages, QNodeOS allows developers to create applications across a wide spectrum of hardware solutions. This breakthrough paves the way for software development that can bring quantum network technology to society, the release said.
Solving unique challenges
QNodeOS is fully programmable, enabling applications to run at a high level, similar to classical operating systems like Windows or Android. Unlike previous systems that required coding specific to each experimental setup, QNodeOS makes it possible to operate quantum processors on a network regardless of the hardware platform.
At the same time, QNodeOS can work with multiple types of quantum hardware, by connecting it to two very different types of quantum processors. This solves one of the unique challenges of quantum networks: Unlike quantum computers that run single programs, quantum network applications require separate programs to execute independently at different network nodes. These programs must coordinate with each other through messages and quantum entanglement, a special type of quantum connection which gives quantum networks their power.
Frontrunner in quantum technology
The Netherlands is considered one of the frontrunners in the field of quantum technology, NOS said, with the Nationaal Groeifonds (National Growth Fund) pledging 615 million euros for a program to develop quantum computers, networks and sensors, and the development of a large European quantum computer in Amsterdam on behalf of the European Commission. However whether the investments are enough remains to be seen: whereas the Netherlands invested about one billion dollars in quantum research up to and including 2023, other countries such as the U.S., Germany, and China have spent considerably more.
As a next step for the Quantum Internet Alliance, their researchers are “working to provide the world access to the technology’s software and hardware components”, TU Delft said. “One of the ways to do this will be to employ QNodeOS on the Quantum Network Explorer, QuTech's quantum internet demonstrator. This will enable a far broader audience to experiment, innovate and create software for quantum networks, accelerating the evolution of the field.”
