METHOD OF ESTABLISHING A QUANTUM KEY FOR USE BETWEEN NETWORK NODES
摘要
<p>A method of establishing a quantum key for use between a first network node (QNodel) and a second network node (QNode3) in a network for carrying out quantum cryptography comprises a key agreement step carried out by a third node (QNode2) and the second node (QNode3) and a subsequent authentication step carried out by the first and second nodes directly. As the key agreement step does not involve QNodel, another key agreement step may be simultaneously performed by another pair of network nodes QNode4, QNode5 to agree a quantum key for use by network nodes QNodel andQNode5. The invention allows respective quantum keys to be established between a network node and each of a set of other nodes more rapidly than is the case if each quantum key is established serially by key agreement and authentication steps.</p>
