2022/08/31 by Hudson Leone, S Srikara, Leone, Hudson +5 · 3 citations
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Quantum Computing Algorithms and Architecture #Quantum Information and Cryptography #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #Quantum Physics (quant-ph)
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2209.00151
openalex publication_date 2022/08/31 · openalex created_date 2022/09/03 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Despite recent advances in quantum repeater networks, entanglement distribution on a continental scale remains prohibitively difficult and resource intensive. Using satellites to distribute maximally entangled photons (Bell pairs) between distant stations is an intriguing alternative. Quantum satellite networks are known to be viable for quantum key distribution, but the question of if such a network is feasible for fault tolerant distributed quantum computation (FTDQC) has so far been unaddressed. In this paper we determine a closed form expression for the rate at which logical Bell pairs can be produced between distant fault-tolerant qubits using a satellite network to supply imperfect physical Bell pairs. With generous parameter assumptions, our results show that FTDQC with satellite networks over statewide distances (500-999 km) is possible for a collective clock rate on the order of 1 MHz while continental (1000-4999 km) and transcontinental (5000+ km) distances run on the order of 10 kHz and 100 Hz respectively.