Architecture for reconfigurable quantum key distribution networks based on entangled photons directed by a wavelength selective switch

1. A method comprising:

determining a supply of entangled photon pairs for distribution among pairs of a plurality of users communicating over an optical network during each clock cycle of a plurality of network clock cycles, wherein the determining is based on establishing a minimal number of connections among the plurality of users;

distributing, via a reconfigurable wavelength routing device, the entangled photon pairs among the pairs of the plurality of users based on shared optical source frequencies among the entangled photon pairs and scheduled connection and duration times among the plurality of users, wherein each of a plurality of output ports of the reconfigurable wavelength routing device is associated with a user of the plurality of users, and wherein the shared optical source frequencies among the entangled photon pairs obey a known mathematical relation in which each shared optical source frequency is set to a middle of a wave selective switch frequency band; and

establishing a key exchange among the plurality of users based on demand for key exchange bandwidth.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising selectively distributing the entangled photon pairs among the plurality of output ports according to a frequency of the entangled photon pairs.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising selectively distributing entangled photon pairs at a plurality of distinct frequencies to a single output port.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising selectively multicasting the entangled photon pairs at a given frequency to the plurality of output ports.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising selectively communicating signals between ports of a wavelength selective switch to the plurality of users individually, wherein the reconfigurable wavelength routing device comprises the wavelength selective switch.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising distributing the entangled photon pairs among pairs of the plurality of users via an output port of a wavelength selective switch.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising segregating a broadband stream of the entangled photon pairs into individual wavebands at the plurality of output ports associated with a user.

8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising concurrently communicating with an individual waveband of the individual wavebands at each of the plurality of output ports.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising concurrently establishing a plurality of key exchange connections between a selected pair of the plurality of users.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reconfiguring the reconfigurable wavelength routing device to establish a new key exchange connection among the plurality of users.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising reconfiguring the reconfigurable wavelength routing device to terminate a key exchange connection among the plurality of users.

12. An apparatus for enabling a device to secure communications between a plurality of users communicating over an optical network, the apparatus comprising:

an optical source that generates entangled photon pairs; and

a reconfigurable wavelength routing device in communication with the optical source, wherein the reconfigurable routing device:

determines a supply of entangled photon pairs for distribution among pairs of a plurality of users communicating over an optical network during each clock cycle of a plurality of network clock cycles, wherein the determining is based on establishing a minimal number of connections among the plurality of users;

distributes the entangled photon pairs among the pairs of the plurality of users based on shared optical source frequencies among the entangled photon pairs and scheduled connection and duration times among the plurality of users, wherein each of a plurality of output ports of the reconfigurable wavelength routing device is associated with a user of the plurality of users, and wherein the shared optical source frequencies among the entangled photon pairs obey a known mathematical relation in which each shared optical source frequency is set to a middle of a wave selective switch frequency band; and

establishes a key exchange among the plurality of users based on demand for key exchange bandwidth.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the reconfigurable routing device selectively distributes the entangled photon pairs among the plurality of output ports according to a frequency of the entangled photon pairs.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the reconfigurable routing device selectively distributes the entangled photon pairs at a plurality of distinct frequencies to a single output port.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the reconfigurable routing device selectively multicasts the entangled photon pairs at a given frequency to the plurality of output ports.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the reconfigurable routing device selectively communicates signals between ports of a wavelength selective switch to the plurality of users individually, wherein the reconfigurable wavelength routing device comprises the wavelength selective switch.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the reconfigurable routing device distributes the entangled photon pairs among pairs of the plurality of users via an output port of a wavelength selective switch.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the reconfigurable routing device segregates a broadband stream of the entangled photon pairs into individual wavebands at the plurality of output ports associated with a user.

19. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the reconfigurable routing device concurrently establishes a plurality of key exchange connections between a selected pair of the plurality of users.