Method and device for setting up long range quantum communications networks

Abstract

Described is a method of setting up a plurality of quantum communications links, forming a quantum network providing provably secure communications and internet services over intercontinental distances without requiring direct line of sight communication or the intermediate use of the entanglement resource of satellites. Also described is a quantum communicator device for use in this method. Two or more quantum memory units are disposed at a first location, an entangled link is set up between at least two of the quantum memory units, at least one of the quantum memory units sharing in the entangled link is physically transported to a second location. The quantum communicator device comprises communications nodes, an optical interface to set up entanglement to other devices and storage nodes, each node in the form of a quantum memory unit capable of storing quantum information for a desired length of time, i.e. weeks or longer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.