“The goal of our research is to bring quantum network technology to all. With QNodeOS we take a big step forward. We make it possible – for the first time – to program and execute applications on a quantum network easily”, says Stephanie Wehner, Professor of Quantum Computer Science at TU Delft’s quantum technology research institute QuTech who led the study. “Our work also creates a framework opening entirely new areas of quantum computer science research.”
Lowering barriers for developers
The ability to easily program classical computing hardware such as laptops or phones has had a transformative impact on our world and enabled the creation of a wide range of applications. “The system is like the software on your computer at home: you don’t need to know how the hardware works to use it,” says Mariagrazia Iuliano, PhD student at QuTech. By essentially removing the barrier between networking hardware and software, the operating system will allow developers to create applications with ease and across a large spectrum of hardware solutions, paving the way for the development of software that can bring quantum network technology to society.
A fully programmable operating system
The quantum network operating system, known as QNodeOS, is fully programmable, meaning that applications can be run at a high level, just like on classical operating systems such as Windows or Android. Unlike previous systems, which required coding specific to each experimental setup, QNodeOS makes it possible to operate quantum processors on a network with ease, regardless of the hardware platform used. “Such an architecture, which has never been created before for quantum networks, enables developers to focus on application logic rather than hardware details,” explains Bart van der Vecht, PhD student at QuTech. “This makes it easier to come up with new kinds of applications, some of which we may not even be able to imagine today.”
Compatible with multiple types of hardware
Quantum network applications differ from applications that run on a quantum computer, introducing unique challenges that the researchers had to overcome. Unlike quantum computers that run single programs, quantum network applications require separate programs to execute independently at different network nodes—like a client app on your phone and a server in the cloud. These programs must coordinate with each other through messages and quantum entanglement, a special type of quantum connection which gives quantum networks their power. QNodeOS solves the unique challenges posed by this different quantum execution paradigm.
The researchers demonstrate that QNodeOS can work with multiple types of quantum hardware, by connecting it to two very different types of quantum processors. “Our trapped ion processors work fundamentally differently than those based on colour centres in diamond, yet we have shown QNodeOS can work with both of them”, says Tracy Northup, Professor at the Department of Experimental Physics.
The future of quantum networks
The creation of QNodeOS united experts from physics, computer science, and engineering in taking an important step in Quantum Internet Alliance (QIA)'s mission to build a scalable and useful quantum network that can support real-world applications. On this journey, the operating system will offer a crucial framework for continued study and experimentation.
QIA is a European research initiative focused on building the world’s first full-stack quantum internet prototype network. By advancing technologies in quantum communication, including quantum repeaters and end nodes, QIA aims to integrate quantum systems to create a scalable, global quantum internet. With support from Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe funding, QIA brings together more than 40 leading academic, industrial, and research organizations, all working toward the goal of realizing a functional quantum internet by 2030.
Publication: An operating system for executing applications on quantum network nodes. Carlo Delle Donne et.al. Nature 2025 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-08704-w [arXiv: 2407.18306]