Patents by Inventor Hugo Zbinden

Hugo Zbinden has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Quantum cryptography device and method
    Patent number: 6438234
    Abstract: A system and method for communicating a key between two stations using an interferometric system for quantum cryptography. The method includes sending at least two light pulses over a quantum channel and detecting the interference created by the light pulses. The interfering pulses traverse the same arms of an interferometer but in a different sequence such that the pulses are delayed when traversing a quantum channel. The pulses are reflected by Faraday mirrors at the ends of the quantum channel so as to cancel any polarization effects. Because the interfering pulses traverse the same arms of an interferometer, there is no need to align or balance between multiple arms of an interferometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Swisscom AG
    Inventors: Nicolas Gisin, Bruno Huttner, Antoine Muller, Hugo Zbinden, Beat Perny