Key distribution in a multiple access network using quantum cryptography

摘要

PCT No. PCT/GB94/01952 Sec. 371 Date Mar. 7, 1996 Sec. 102(e) Date Mar. 7, 1996 PCT Filed Sep. 8, 1994 PCT Pub. No. WO95/07582 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 16, 1995In a method of quantum cryptography, a transmitter (T) communicates on a quantum channel with several receivers (R1-R3). The receivers are located on different branches of a common communications network The method establishes a different respective secret key for each receiver. A timing pulse may be transmitted from the transmitter to the receivers to synchronise the receivers prior to a transmission on a quantum channel. The quantum channel may be multiplexed and transmitted concurrently with classical multi-photon transmissions on the network.