Internship Quantum Network modeling and optimizations
Nokia
Family Description
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs. In France, Nokia has a strong technological base that relies on both cutting-edge Research and Development teams and very strong links with the French digital ecosystem. Our activities are spread over two major sites in Lannion (Côtes d'Armor) and Paris-Saclay (Massy and Nozay, Essonne).
Subfamily Description
Nokia Bell Labs is the world-renowned industrial research arm of Nokia that leads innovative research focused on the current Nokia Business Group Portfolio for both short and long-term excellence. Within Nokia Bell Labs in Massy, we conduct the “Quantum Networks” research activity, the objective of which is to define the protocol stack for the future quantum networks and to study the distributed algorithms they could run, in search of new quantum advantages.
A quantum network is a distributed system that creates maximally entangled pairs of qubits (Bell pairs) between any pair of nodes in the network by using entanglement swapping in quantum repeaters [1]. These Bell pairs can then be used for quantum key distribution [2], but also for quantum consensus algorithms, secure delegated quantum computing, or distributed quantum computing applications [3]. During the proposed internship, we would like to investigate the optimization of the quantum links, with regards to various parameters: physical performances (rate of useful Bell pairs, fidelity of Bell pairs, etc.), number of nodes in the network, cost, etc.
Some references:
[1] Quantum Internet Research Group (QIRG) @ IRTF, https://datatracker.ietf.org/rg/qirg/documents/
[2] L. Noirie, “From Existing Quantum Key Distribution Systems towards Future Quantum Networks”, 13th International Conference on Communications, Circuits, and Systems (ICCCAS 2024), hal.
[3] L. Noirie, “Quantum Networks and Algorithms for Distributed Quantum Systems,” Distributed Quantum Computing Workshop 2025, web site.
Nokia is a global leader in connectivity for the AI era. With expertise across fixed, mobile and transport networks, powered by the innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, we’re advancing connectivity to secure a brighter world.
The Trainee will join an enthusiast research team in Massy to work on Quantum Network modeling and optimizations. He/she will perform delegated tasks with the objective to take over more and more responsibilities and learn all required skills for his / her future job. The main purpose of this job is to gain experience of all aspects of the selected area.
Recommended skills:
• Computer Science: general knowledge about network architecture.
• Quantum distributed systems: qubits, Bell pairs, quantum teleportation, entanglement swapping, quantum repeaters / routers, quantum networks / internet, quantum network applications, etc.
• Programming: Python.
The intern will participate in this research study with Nokia Bell Labs researchers:
• State-of-the-Art analysis about quantum networks and realization of quantum links,
• Modeling of the quantum links,
• Analytical studies of quantum link optimization,
• Numerical studies of quantum link optimization with Python programming and/or using our quantum network simulator.