Guest Editorial The Quantum Internet: Principles, Protocols and Architectures

The Quantum Internet is envisioned as a global network, interconnecting heterogeneous quantum networks, able to transmit quantum information (qubits, qudits, or continuous variables) and to distribute entangled quantum states with no classical equivalent, by exploiting quantum links in synergy with classical links. The Quantum Internet is disruptive, since it is capable of supporting functionalities with no direct counterpart in classical networks, such as advanced quantum cryptographic services, blind quantum computing, and distributed quantum computing characterized by exponential increases in computing power and new forms of communication. These functionalities have the potential to fundamentally change the world in ways we cannot imagine yet.