Quantum Communications Networks: Trends and Challenges

Dear Colleagues,

Quantum information science has evolved substantially over the past four decades and has received significant attention from both the theoretical and experimental communities, so much so that physicists consider it the fastest growing area in quantum technologies. Progress has often been driven by the application areas, such as quantum key distribution (QKD), quantum light sources and detectors, quantum random number generators, quantum repeaters and amplifiers, and free-space and satellite-based quantum communications. Considering the recent advances in the field, this Special Issue aims to assemble new ideas and cluster promising techniques concerning the analysis and modeling of quantum communications networks. Moreover, it aspires to be a forum for the presentation of new and improved methods that address the current challenges faced by such networks. In particular, the analysis of real-world, engineered QKD systems, including light sources and transmitters; quantum (bosonic) channel analysis; as well as light detection and receivers, with the help of quantum information tools, all fall within the scope of this Special Issue. The design and implementation of future quantum repeater infrastructure, and the components therein, are another interest for this Special Issue. In addition, this Special Issue welcomes more fundamental results relating to the characterization of quantum correlations in quantum networks when the quantum and/or classical resources available to the network nodes are limited (e.g., networks with bipartite quantum sources and shared randomness, but no classical communication). 

This Special Issue will accept unpublished original papers and comprehensive reviews focused (but not restricted) on such research areas.

Dr. Mohsen Razavi
Dr. Masoud Ghalaii
Dr. Federico Grasselli
Dr. Mirko Pittaluga
Guest Editors

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