Existing classical optical network infrastructure cannot be immediately used for quantum network applications due to photon loss. The first step towards enabling quantum networks is the integration of quantum repeaters into optical networks. However, the expenses and intrinsic noise inherent in quantum hardware underscore the need for an efficient deployment strategy that optimizes the allocation of quantum repeaters and memories. In this paper, we present a comprehensive framework for network planning, aiming to efficiently distributing quantum repeaters across existing infrastructure, with the objective of maximizing quantum network utility within an entanglement distribution network. We apply our framework to several cases including a preliminary illustration of a dumbbell network topology and real-world cases of the SURFnet and ESnet. We explore the effect of quantum memory multiplexing within quantum repeaters, as well as the influence of memory coherence time on quantum network utility. We further examine the effects of different fairness assumptions on network planning, uncovering their impacts on real-time network performance.

翻译：现有经典光网络基础设施因光子损耗无法直接用于量子网络应用。实现量子网络的首要步骤是将量子中继器集成到光网络中。然而，量子硬件固有的成本与噪声问题凸显了优化量子中继器与存储器部署策略的必要性。本文提出了一套全面的网络规划框架，旨在现有基础设施上高效分配量子中继器，以最大化纠缠分发网络中的量子网络效用。我们将该框架应用于多个案例，包括哑铃型网络拓扑的初步演示，以及SURFnet与ESnet的真实网络场景。我们研究了量子中继器内量子存储器复用技术的影响，以及存储器相干时间对量子网络效用的作用。进一步探讨了不同公平性假设对网络规划的影响，揭示了其对实时网络性能的作用机理。