US 12,267,422 B2
Quantum network and authentication method
Robert Ian Woodward, Cambridge (GB); Benjamin Marsh, Cambridge (GB); James F. Dynes, Cambridge (GB); Zhiliang Yuan, Cambridge (GB); and Andrew James Shields, Cambridge (GB)
Assigned to Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Aug. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/886,559.
Claims priority of application No. 2202650 (GB), filed on Feb. 25, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0275754 A1, Aug. 31, 2023
Int. Cl. H04L 9/08 (2006.01); H04L 9/32 (2006.01)
CPC H04L 9/0855 (2013.01) [H04L 9/321 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for use in a quantum communication network comprising a first node, a second node and a third node, the method performed by the third node, the method comprising:
receiving, from the first node, a request for authentication key data for authenticating communication with the second node;
in response to the request:
generating the first authentication key data;
sending, to the first node, a first message comprising first authentication key data for authenticating communication between the first node and the second node, wherein the first message is authenticated using second authentication key data stored on the first node and the third node, and wherein the first message is encrypted using a first cryptographic key exchanged with the first node on the quantum communication network; and
sending, to the second node, a second message comprising the first authentication key data, wherein the second message is authenticated using third authentication key data stored on the second node and the third node, and wherein the second message is encrypted using a second cryptographic key exchanged with the second node on the quantum communication network.