Quantum key distribution in a packet-switched network

Packet-switched communication networks were introduced as an efficient and scalable alternative to circuit switching in the early sixties. Today, packet switching is the dominant mode of operation in the Internet. Recently we have introduced packet switching as a new paradigm for quantum networks with universal applications. In this work, we investigate the feasibility of performing quantum key distribution (QKD) in a packet-switched network, using near-term technologies. To reduce network contention, several routing protocols are proposed, based on varying optical storage capacity of the router. We also develop a software tool for simulating the transport of packets in a multi-user QKD network, which provides us with the statistics for the dynamic channel between each user pair. Lastly, we use the simulated network statistics to predict the maximum secure key rate for each user pair in the network. As a testbed for our framework, we analyze a sixteen-user mesh network and discover that packet switching is imminently suitable as a platform for QKD, an important step towards the wide application of QKD, and ultimately, the development of the Quantum Internet.