Asynchronous quantum key distribution on a relay network

Barnett, Stephen M. and Phoenix, Simon J. D. (2012) Asynchronous quantum key distribution on a relay network. Journal of Modern Optics, 59 (15). pp. 1349-1354. ISSN 0950-0340 (https://doi.org/10.1080/09500340.2012.716460)

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Abstract

We show how quantum key distribution on a multi-user, multi-path, network can be used to establish a key between any two end-users in an asynchronous fashion using the technique of bit-transport. By a suitable adaptation of our previous secret-sharing scheme we show that an attacker has to compromise all of the intermediate relays on the network in order to obtain the key. Thus, two end-users can establish a secret key provided they trust at least one of the network relays.