Gentlepeople, ACM SIGCOMM CCR is soliciting papers for a special section titled "Impact of Quantum Technologies on Networks and Networking Research". I'm not sure how many people here are *working* directly in this area, but we hope that many of you will find the topic *interesting*.. Particularly, we'd love to receive papers collaboratively authored by networking and quantum folks, that capture developments in quantum tech and present new research directions in the language and mindset of the broad networking community. CFP below. Thanks for your interest! Chip Elliott - special section editor John Wroclawski - CCR editor ------------------------------- C A L L F O R P A P E R S Special Section on Impact of Quantum Technologies on Networks and Networking Research ACM SIGCOMM Computer Communication Review - October 2004 As physicists have begun to probe the fundamental limits of encoding and processing information in individual atoms or photons, it has become apparent that "classical" bits, logic gates, and algorithms place highly artificial limitations on physically realizable computation and communication. By taking advantage of distinctively quantum effects such as entanglement, one may be able to obtain remarkable new capabilities, such as unbreakable cryptography, quantum computers that rapidly solve NP-complete problems, and superdense coding. A range of important quantum technologies is already being demonstrated in laboratories. Indeed, quantum cryptography - the most mature of these technologies - is now running across citywide telecommunications fiber. This special section aims to illuminate the implications of quantum information on communications networks. What new forms of networking will be required for reliable or best-effort transport of quantum information (qubits)? How might network technology potentially take advantage of quantum algorithms running on quantum processors? What kinds of networks will be needed inside quantum computers? Beyond full quantum computers, are there specialized quantum circuits that might be "low hanging fruit" with near-term utility in networking? More broadly, how might quantum information and technologies create new challenges, problems, and opportunities for the networking research community? We seek original research results, visionary approaches, and future research directions. The scope is broad, covering theories, insights, system designs, and empirical studies that will advance our understanding of how networks may by influenced by explicitly quantum effects. Contributions may focus on a specific discipline or be stimulated by the synergistic interaction of diverse disciplines, but all contributions must be targeted towards the main audience of the ACM SIGCOMM Computer Communication Review, i.e., the network research community. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: * Network architectures based on quantum repeaters or quantum teleportation. * New kinds of qubit-transport networks that will be required for quantum computers. * Quantum algorithms or specialized quantum circuits with potentially high payoff for networks. * Impacts of quantum channel capacity, superdense coding, or improved communication complexity on higher layers of network architectures. * Network applications of quantum entanglement (e.g. non-local, shared randomness). * Physical implementations of quantum systems that are readily compatible with today's communication infrastructure, e.g., pulses of light through telecommunications fibers. * Cryptographic applications such as quantum key distribution. Submission and Review Guidelines: Two types of submissions will be considered for this issue: * Regular papers presenting new research results related to the practice of quantum-based networks. * Challenge papers articulating future research directions and visionary approaches. Papers in this category must be thought provoking, with potential for opening new research directions for the networking community. Review submissions should be limited to 15 pages (US "Letter" size, 8.5 x 11 inches) including text, figures and references, in single-column, single-space format, with a font size of at least 10 points and at least 1" margins. Shorter papers are welcome and encouraged. Papers will be externally reviewed for their intellectual merits and relevance to the special issue. For further information and submission instructions, please see the special section website at http://www.acm.org/sigcomm/CCR/quantum. Questions about the submission process should be directed to the Special Section Editor. Special Section Editor: Chip Elliott BBN Technologies Key Dates: Paper submission: July 19, 2004 Acceptance notification: August 27, 2004 Camera-ready copy: September 24, 2004 Publication date: October, 2004