Quantum Protocol Zoo

Future information and communication networks will certainly consist of both classical and quantum devices, some of which are expected to be dishonest, with various degrees of functionality, ranging from simple routers to servers executing quantum algorithms. Most of the technology required to achieve advanced stages of a quantum internet is still in its infancy, hence it is very hard to predict the potential use cases. Several applications, however, have already been characterized depending on the different stages of a quantum network such as secure delegated quantum computing, quantum key distribution, clock synchronization, leader election, quantum digital signatures, quantum money among others. Such applications promise to impact and transform the society on multiple levels including communication, accessing information and security. Therefore, it would be extremely useful to have a standard framework to describe the protocols that are relevant to quantum internet such that they become available to the diverse quantum information science community. We take the first step in this direction and call such an initiative: The Quantum Protocol Zoo which consists of an organised collection of protocols that could be implemented (or simulated) in the coming years. In this lecture I present an overview of the filed through this new platform of interaction with various communities contributing to it.