Network node

A method of operating a network node in a telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving, from one or more remote optical sources, a first optical signal, a second optical signal and a third optical signal, wherein the first, second and third optical signals each have a respective wavelength within an optical fibre transmission band being one of the O-band, E-band, S-band, C-band, L-band, and U/XL-band;
• converting the wavelength of one or more of the first optical signal, second optical signal and third optical signal and
• exciting a Rydberg-atom based transmission medium by the first optical signal, second optical signal and third optical signal, following wavelength conversion of one or more of the first optical signal, second optical signal and third optical signal, such that electrons of the Rydberg-atom based transmission medium are excited to a predetermined Rydberg state.

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions which when executed by a processor cause steps of a method of operating a network node in a telecommunications network to be carried out, the steps comprising:

• receiving, from one or more remote optical sources, a first optical signal, a second optical signal and a third optical signal, wherein the first, second and third optical signals each have a respective wavelength within an optical fibre transmission band being one of the O-band. E-band, S-band. C-band, L-band, and U/XL-band;
• converting the wavelength of one or more of the first optical signal, second optical signal and third optical signal and
• exciting a Rydberg-atom based transmission medium by the first optical signal, second optical signal and third optical signal, following wavelength conversion of one or more of the first optical signal, second optical signal and third optical signal, such that electrons of the Rydberg-atom based transmission medium are excited to a predetermined Rydberg state.