Efficient access authentication for quantum communication network with digital certificates

Digital certificate offers an efficient way to realize the access authentication which safeguards the first line of secure communication. In this paper, we propose an access authentication scheme with digital certificates based on post-quantum standards published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology for quantum communication networks. Specifically, we experimentally demonstrate the secure access authentication of the quantum channel by verifying the signatures encoded in quantum states in a quantum secure direct communication network. Only the post-quantum digital signature algorithm is needed in the experiment. Together with secure relays, we envision the establishment of a large-scale quantum-secure communication network in the future.