Ut-battelle, Inc.

Warren P Grice

Bing Qi

Philip G Evans

Nicholas A Peters

Raphael C Pooser

Joseph M Lukens

Travis S Humble

Phani Teja Kuruganti

Ryan S Bennink

Miljko Bobrek

A passive continuous variable quantum key distribution scheme, where Alice splits the output of a thermal source into two beams, measures one locally and transmits the other mode to Bob after applying attenuation. A secure key can be established based on measurements of the two beams without the use of a random number generator or an optical modulator.

Passive continuous variable quantum key distribution scheme using a thermal source

Continuous variable quantum secret sharing (CV-QSS) technologies are described that use laser sources and homodyne detectors. Here, a Gaussian-modulated coherent state (GMCS) prepared by one device passes through secure stations of other devices sequentially on its way to a trusted device, and each of the other devices coherently adds a locally prepared, independent GMCS to the group of propagating GMCSs. Finally, the trusted device measures both the amplitude and the phase quadratures of the received group of coherent GMCSs using double homodyne detectors. The trusted device suitably uses the measurement results to establish a secure key for encoding secret messages to be broadcast to the other devices. The devices cooperatively estimate, based on signals corresponding to their respective Gaussian modulations, the trusted device's secure key, so that the cooperative devices can decode the broadcast secret messages with the secure key.

Continuous variable quantum secret sharing

A passive continuous-variable quantum key distribution scheme, where Alice splits the output of a thermal source into two spatial modes, measures one locally and transmits the other mode to Bob after applying attenuation. A secure key can be established based on measurements of the two modes without the use of a random number generator or an optical modulator.

Quantum key distribution using a thermal source

An improved method of distributing timing information is provided. The method includes transmitting encrypted timing signals from two or more beacons at different locations. The encrypted timing signals are transmitted at regular intervals and are received by a receiver. The receiver then performs a logic operation on the encrypted timing signals and validates, based on the logic operation, the authenticity of the timing signals. The logic operation also results in a decrypted message from the beacons, which can contain additional information, for example, data to be sent back to the beacons to verify receipt.

Quantum self-authenticating timing system

An apparatus for producing a single photon can comprise a modulator that modulates the wavelength of a pump beam based on wavelength of an idler photon of a signal/idler photon pair. A wavelength division multiplexer combines the modulated pump beam and the signal photon in a non-linear element to produce an output photon having a preselected wavelength based on signal photon wavelength and a wavelength of the modulated pump beam.

Deterministic single-photon source based on spectral shift of a heralded photon

The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of distributing time information to enable synchronization in an authenticated manner via a quantum channel. A source device may transmit a timing signal, T on a communication channel from the source device to a receiver device. The timing signal T may be include a time or times stored in memory or calculated using a previously agreed upon formula. The method may include transmitting a quantum system Q from the source device to the receiver device. The quantum system may be prepared in a randomly chosen state and may be measured by the receiver device in a randomly chosen measurement basis.

Quantum-authenticated clock signal

An improved quantum key distribution (QKD) system and method are provided. The system and method introduce new clients at intermediate points along a quantum channel, where any two clients can establish a secret key without the need for a secret meeting between the clients. The new clients perform operations on photons as they pass through nodes in the quantum channel, and participate in a non-secret protocol that is amended to include the new clients. The system and method significantly increase the number of clients that can be supported by a conventional QKD system, with only a modest increase in cost. The system and method are compatible with a variety of QKD schemes, including polarization, time-bin, continuous variable and entanglement QKD.

Method for adding nodes to a quantum key distribution system

The use of quantum-mechanically entangled photons for monitoring the integrity of a physical border or a communication link is described. The no-cloning principle of quantum information science is used as protection against an intruder's ability to spoof a sensor receiver using a 'classical' intercept-resend attack. Correlated measurement outcomes from polarization-entangled photons are used to protect against quantum intercept-resend attacks, i.e., attacks using quantum teleportation.

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Oak Ridge, TN, United States of America

Warren P Grice