Distributed quantum computing across an optical network link

Main, D; Drmota, P; Nadlinger, DP; Ainley, EM; Agrawal, A; Nichol, BC; Srinivas, R; Araneda, G; Lucas, DM

Journal article

Distributed quantum computing across an optical network link

Abstract:: Distributed quantum computing (DQC) combines the computing power of multiple networked quantum processing modules, ideally enabling the execution of large quantum circuits without compromising performance or qubit connectivity1, 2. Photonic networks are well suited as a versatile and reconfigurable interconnect layer for DQC; remote entanglement shared between matter qubits across the network enables all-to-all logical connectivity through quantum gate teleportation (QGT)3, 4. For a scalable DQC architecture, the QGT implementation must be deterministic and repeatable; until now, no demonstration has satisfied these requirements. Here we experimentally demonstrate the distribution of quantum computations between two photonically interconnected trapped-ion modules. The modules, separated by about two metres, each contain dedicated network and circuit qubits. By using heralded remote entanglement between the network qubits, we deterministically teleport a controlled-Z (CZ) gate between two circuit qubits in separate modules, achieving 86% fidelity. We then execute Grover’s search algorithm5—to our knowledge, the first implementation of a distributed quantum algorithm comprising several non-local two-qubit gates—and measure a 71% success rate. Furthermore, we implement distributed iSWAP and SWAP circuits, compiled with two and three instances of QGT, respectively, demonstrating the ability to distribute arbitrary two-qubit operations6. As photons can be interfaced with a variety of systems, the versatile DQC architecture demonstrated here provides a viable pathway towards large-scale quantum computing for a range of physical platforms.

Publication status:: Published

Peer review status:: Peer reviewed

Actions

Email

Email this record

Send the bibliographic details of this record to your email address.

Your Email
Please enter the email address that the record information will be sent to.

-
Your message (optional)
Please add any additional information to be included within the email.
Cite

Cite this record

APA Style

Main, D., Drmota, P., Nadlinger, D. P., Ainley, E. M., Agrawal, A., Nichol, B. C., Srinivas, R., Araneda, G., & Lucas, D. M. (2025). Distributed quantum computing across an optical network link. Nature, 638(8050), 383–388.

MLA Style

Main, D., et al. “Distributed Quantum Computing across an Optical Network Link.” Nature, vol. 638, no. 8050, Nature Research, 2025, pp. 383–88.

Chicago Style

Main, D, P Drmota, DP Nadlinger, EM Ainley, A Agrawal, BC Nichol, R Srinivas, G Araneda, and DM Lucas. 2025. “Distributed Quantum Computing across an Optical Network Link.” Nature 638 (8050): 383–88.
Share
Print