The ability to generate entangled photon-pairs over a broad wavelength range opens the door to the simultaneous distribution of entanglement to multiple users in a network by using centralized sources and flexible wavelength-division multiplexing schemes. Here we show the design of a metropolitan optical network consisting of tree-type access networks whereby entangled photon-pairs are distributed to any pair of users, independent of their location. The network is constructed employing commercial off-the-shelf components and uses the existing infrastructure, which allows for moderate deployment costs. We further develop a channel plan and a network-architecture design to provide a direct optical path between any pair of users, thus allowing classical and one-way quantum communication as well as entanglement distribution. This allows the simultaneous operation of multiple quantum information technologies. Finally, we present a more flexible backbone architecture that pushes away the load limitations of the original network design by extending its reach, number of users and capabilities.
@article{arxiv.1409.5965,
title = {Entanglement Distribution in Optical Networks},
author = {Alex Ciurana and Vicente Martin and Jesus Martinez-Mateo and Bernhard Schrenk and Momtchil Peev and Andreas Poppe},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1409.5965},
year = {2014}
}