Systems and methods for quantum verification of communications

An initiating device for secure distribution of data to a participating device via a transmission medium, the initiating device comprising hardware configured to perform at least two iterations of a photon distribution process, the hardware comprising:

• generation hardware configured to generate a pair of entangled photons, the pair of entangled photons having a polarization relationship, and a polarization of each entangled photon of the pair of entangled photons being unknown when generated, and
• communication hardware configured to transmit one entangled photon of the pair of entangled photons to the participating device via the transmission medium;
• wherein the initiating device further comprises:
• measurement hardware configured to obtain, after performing the at least two iterations of the photon distribution process, a bit sequence based at least on a polarization of a second entangled photon of a first pair of entangled photons generated via the at least two iterations of the photon distribution process and a polarization of a third photon, the third photon being from a second pair of entangled photons generated via the at least two iterations of the photon distribution process, the polarization relationship fixing the polarizations of the first pair of entangled photons upon a first polarization measurement of either photon of the first pair of entangled photons or the second pair of entangled photons;
• wherein the communication hardware is further configured to obtain authentication data from the participating device, the authentication data being based, at least in part, on the polarization of a first entangled photon of the first pair of entangled photons,
• wherein the initiating device further comprises authentication circuitry configured to determine an authentication status of the participating device based on a comparison of the authentication data and the bit sequence.

An initiating device for secure distribution of data to a participating device via a transmission medium, the initiating device comprising:

• means for performing at least two iterations of a photon distribution process, the means comprising:
• a first means for generating a pair of entangled photons, the pair of entangled photons having a polarization relationship, and a polarization of each entangled photon of the pair of entangled photons being unknown when generated;
• and
• a second means for transmitting one entangled photon of the pair of entangled photons to the participating device via the transmission medium;
• wherein the initiating device further comprises:
• a third means for obtaining, after performing the at least two iterations of the photon distribution process a bit sequence based at least on a polarization of a second entangled photon of the pair of entangled photons generated via the at least two iterations of the photon distribution process and a polarization of a third photon, the third photon being from a second pair of entangled photons generated via the at least two iterations of the photon distribution process, the polarization relationship fixing the polarizations of the first pair of entangled photons and the second pair of entangled photons upon a first polarization measurement of either photon of the first pair of entangled photons or the second pair of entangled photons;
• wherein the second means further comprises means for obtaining authentication data from the participating device, the authentication data being based, at least in part, on the polarization of a first entangled photon of the pair of entangled photons,
• wherein the initiating device further comprises fourth means for determining an authentication status of the participating device based on a comparison of the authentication data and the bit sequence.