The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 13, 2026
Filed:
May. 06, 2022
Politecnico Di Milano, Milan, IT;
Mario Martinelli, Milan, IT;
POLITECNICO DI MILANO, Milan, IT;
Abstract
A network for the distribution of a quantum key and a multifunctional node thereof. The network includes a source node, a single photon source, and a plurality of multifunctional nodes connected to the source node by respective optical communication channels. Each multifunctional node includes a transmitting unit, a polarization stabilizer connected to an optical input port to receive a photon transmitted by the source node, a first and second waveplate downstream of the polarization stabilizer and controlled by a first actuator. Each multifunctional node further includes a receiving unit, the polarization stabilizer, the first waveplate controlled by a second actuator, a polarizing beam splitter downstream of the first waveplate and configured to detect a logic state of each photon, at least one photodetector and a counting register configured to receive the logic state of the detected photon. Each multifunctional node further comprises an optical switch between the second retarder waveplate.