First operating system for quantum networks
Future quantum networks aim to enable new internet applications that are impossible to achieve using only classical communication. Up to now, demonstrations of quantum network applications and functionalities on quantum processors have been performed in ad hoc software specific to the experimental setup, programmed to perform one single task (the application experiment) directly into low-level control devices using expertise in experimental physics.
Researchers from the Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA) have unveiled QNodeOS, the first operating system for quantum networks, marking a breakthrough in quantum internet development. This innovation moves quantum networking from theory to practical application, potentially reshaping the future of the internet.
QNodeOS simplifies programming on quantum networks, much like classical operating systems such as Windows or Android do for regular computers. Developers can now create and run applications without worrying about the underlying hardware. This accessibility paves the way for new applications and breakthroughs in quantum technology.
Bart van der Vecht, PhD at QuTech, said, “Such an architecture, which has never been created before for quantum networks, enables developers to focus on application logic rather than hardware details. This makes it easier to develop new applications, some of which we may not even be able to imagine today.”
Quantum network applications present unique challenges compared to quantum computers. While quantum computers run single programs, quantum networks require independent programs to operate at different nodes (like a phone app coordinating with a cloud server). These programs communicate through messages and quantum entanglement—a powerful connection at the heart of quantum networks. QNodeOS overcomes these challenges by enabling seamless coordination between nodes.
The researchers proved QNodeOS’s versatility by successfully connecting it to two quantum processors: trapped ion processors and those using color centers in diamonds. Despite their fundamental differences, QNodeOS worked effectively with both, marking a significant step toward universal quantum networking.
Journal Reference:
- Delle Donne, C., Iuliano, M., van der Vecht, B. et al. An operating system for executing applications on quantum network nodes. Nature 639, 321–328 (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08704-w