Abstract: A system and method for providing quantum entanglement using a hybrid space-fiber quantum network are described. The hybrid space-fiber quantum network includes a communications hub located proximate to an optical ground station and also includes an aerial entangled particle source, such as an entangled photon source attached to a satellite, drone, aircraft, etc. An atmospheric or free-space channel is used to distribute quantum entanglement between optical ground stations that are separated by geographic distances, via the aerial entangled particle source. Also, fiber optic links are connected to the communications hub located proximate to the optical ground station. The communications hub includes optical switches that enable any of the fiber optic links connected to the communications hub to receive or send distributed quantum entanglement to a remotely located recipient endpoint via the atmospheric or free-space channel.

Abstract: A multi-node, quantum communication network for providing quantum-secure time transfer with Damon attack detection is described. The network includes three or more nodes connected via authenticated communication channels forming a closed loop. By determining differences between the local times at as well as the time durations required for photons to travel between the three or more nodes, the network detects a Damon attack, if present. For example, the network imposes a closed loop condition to detect the Damon attack. The network can also use the local time differences and time durations for photon travel between nodes to synchronize the local clocks at the three or more nodes of the network.

Abstract: A system and method for providing quantum entanglement using a hybrid space-fiber quantum network are described. The hybrid space-fiber quantum network includes a communications hub located proximate to an optical ground station and also includes an aerial entangled particle source, such as an entangled photon source attached to a satellite, drone, aircraft, etc. An atmospheric or free-space channel is used to distribute quantum entanglement between optical ground stations that are separated by geographic distances, via the aerial entangled particle source. Also, fiber optic links are connected to the communications hub located proximate to the optical ground station. The communications hub includes optical switches that enable any of the fiber optic links connected to the communications hub to receive or send distributed quantum entanglement to a remotely located recipient endpoint via the atmospheric or free-space channel.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing and using quantum safe enclaves is described. In some embodiments, secure shared randomness is distributed between nodes, for example using quantum key distribution. The secured shared randomness is used to generate quantum safe network keys that enable quantum safe network links to be established between any of the nodes included in the quantum safe enclave. A network manager enforces policies that restrict communications between nodes of the quantum safe enclave to transmission via quantum safe network links. Such an arrangement protects communicated data from quantum enabled attacks that may compromise other forms of encryption.

Abstract: A system and method for providing quantum entanglement as a service are described. Intermediate nodes which may be located in trusted or trustless locations are used to distribute quantum entanglement to endpoints, such as endpoints of customers of a quantum entanglement distribution service. The distributed quantum entanglement provides a secure communication path that does not rely on trust placed in an infrastructure or software provider. To distribute the quantum entanglement, intermediate nodes comprising quantum memories are used. Joint measurements are performed on quantum particles of respective entangled quantum pairs received at the intermediate nodes without collapsing superposition states of the particles. This allows for the quantum entanglement to be extended across intermediate nodes while maintaining entanglement and superposition of the entangled quantum particles.

Abstract: A system and method for providing quantum entanglement using a hybrid space-fiber quantum network are described. The hybrid space-fiber quantum network includes a communications hub located proximate to an optical ground station and also includes an aerial entangled particle source, such as an entangled photon source attached to a satellite, drone, aircraft, etc. An atmospheric or free-space channel is used to distribute quantum entanglement between optical ground stations that are separated by geographic distances, via the aerial entangled particle source. Also, fiber optic links are connected to the communications hub located proximate to the optical ground station. The communications hub includes optical switches that enable any of the fiber optic links connected to the communications hub to receive or send distributed quantum entanglement to a remotely located recipient endpoint via the atmospheric or free-space channel.

Abstract: A multi-node, quantum communication network for providing quantum-secure time transfer with Damon attack detection is described. The network includes three or more nodes connected via authenticated communication channels forming a closed loop. By determining differences between the local times at as well as the time durations required for photons to travel between the three or more nodes, the network detects a Damon attack, if present. For example, the network imposes a closed loop condition to detect the Damon attack. The network can also use the local time differences and time durations for photon travel between nodes to synchronize the local clocks at the three or more nodes of the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for quantum clock synchronization are provided. Various embodiments can use time-energy and polarization entangled photons to securely extract the absolute time difference between two remote clocks. In some embodiments, two parties can each have a source of entangled photons. Each party can detect one member of the pair locally and time stamp the detection time, while the other photon gets sent over a common channel (single optical mode) to the other party where the transmitted photon is detected and time stamped. The time stamp values can be shared over an open authenticated channel and each receiver can run a cross-correlation of the detection times. The authenticity and non-spoofability of the timing signal are ensured if each party does not just perform a simple time of arrival measurement but also incorporate polarization measurements whose joint values constitute a Bell test.

Abstract: Systems and methods for quantum clock synchronization are provided. Various embodiments can use time-energy and polarization entangled photons to securely extract the absolute time difference between two remote clocks. In some embodiments, two parties can each have a source of entangled photons. Each party can detect one member of the pair locally and time stamp the detection time, while the other photon gets sent over a common channel (single optical mode) to the other party where the transmitted photon is detected and time stamped. The time stamp values can be shared over an open authenticated channel and each receiver can run a cross-correlation of the detection times. The authenticity and non-spoofability of the timing signal are ensured if each party does not just perform a simple time of arrival measurement but also incorporate polarization measurements whose joint values constitute a Bell test.

Abstract: Systems and methods for quantum clock synchronization are provided. Various embodiments can use time-energy and polarization entangled photons to securely extract the absolute time difference between two remote clocks. In some embodiments, two parties can each have a source of entangled photons. Each party can detect one member of the pair locally and time stamp the detection time, while the other photon gets sent over a common channel (single optical mode) to the other party where the transmitted photon is detected and time stamped. The time stamp values can be shared over an open authenticated channel and each receiver can run a cross-correlation of the detection times. The authenticity and non-spoofability of the timing signal are ensured if each party does not just perform a simple time of arrival measurement but also incorporate polarization measurements whose joint values constitute a Bell test.

Abstract: A multi-node, quantum communication network for providing quantum-secure time transfer with Damon attack detection is described. The network includes three or more nodes connected via authenticated communication channels forming a closed loop. By determining differences between the local times at as well as the time durations required for photons to travel between the three or more nodes, the network detects a Damon attack, if present. For example, the network imposes a closed loop condition to detect the Damon attack. The network can also use the local time differences and time durations for photon travel between nodes to synchronize the local clocks at the three or more nodes of the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for quantum clock synchronization are provided. Various embodiments can use time-energy and polarization entangled photons to securely extract the absolute time difference between two remote clocks. In some embodiments, two parties can each have a source of entangled photons. Each party can detect one member of the pair locally and time stamp the detection time, while the other photon gets sent over a common channel (single optical mode) to the other party where the transmitted photon is detected and time stamped. The time stamp values can be shared over an open authenticated channel and each receiver can run a cross-correlation of the detection times. The authenticity and non-spoofability of the timing signal are ensured if each party does not just perform a simple time of arrival measurement but also incorporate polarization measurements whose joint values constitute a Bell test.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enhancing the production of polarisation-entangled multiphoton states from a laser pumped parametric down-converting crystal. The pump beam and initial down-converted photons are returned by retro mirrors, in phase to the down-converting crystal where they stimulate the emission of further polarisation-entangled states. The efficiency of the process is increased by including in the path of the returning down-converted photons a crystal of the same substance and thickness as the down-converting crystal to provide spatial and temporal walk-off compensation. Further, the phase of the returning pump beam is adjusted and optimised by control of the retro-mirror while monitoring the rate of production of polarisation-entangled photon pairs. Maximising the rate of production of photon pairs also maximises the rate of production of higher-order states, such as four-photon states.