Making Quantum Networks Work: Routing, Calibration, and Programmable Quantum Repeaters

The thesis studies how to make quantum networks operate reliably under realistic hardware constraints, using a cross-layer approach across the network, link, and node layers under partial knowledge, time-varying links, and programmable hardware. It contributes: (i) routing for heterogeneous quantum repeaters, including a grey-box paradigm using only topology and end-to-end estimates; (ii) a calibration-aware link model with analytically optimal schedules for linear chains (the Quantum Link Orchestration theorem and Recursive Threshold Allocation algorithm) and a greedy orchestration strategy for general topologies; and (iii) an instruction-set architecture for NV-centre-based programmable quantum repeater nodes.