Just to drop the name, we're talking about quantum key distribution (QKD). > Now, what bits do you actually send? You just send random bits and get a key. The

Just to drop the name, we're talking about quantum key distribution (QKD). > Now, what bits do you actually send? You just send random bits and get a key. Then use the key however you want (AES, one-time-pad if you're crazy...). I guess that's actually the same as what you were saying... > It can take seconds to send a 1,000 bit key just 1km Toshiba marketing claims "13.7 Mb/s over a fiber distance of 10 km" [1]. I'm sure they also have a paper somewhere. > You need a single photon source No, people use "Decoy States", which allows you to use a "normal" weak pulsed laser. There is also continuous variable QKD which does not need single photons. You can use single photons (and some implementations do) but it's not mandatory. [1]: https://www.global.toshiba/ww/products-solutions/security-ict/qkd/why.html https://www.global.toshiba/ww/products-solutions/security-ic...