High-efficient quantum key distribution based on hybrid entanglement

A novel quantum key distribution scheme based on the path-spin hybrid entanglement is proposed and analyzed. In this proposed scheme, the entanglement between the path and the spin degrees of freedom is confined locally with the single particle and transmitted in one-way direction. Two split pulses of a single spin-1/2 particle are not simultaneously transmitted through the public quantum channels for the security goal. The scheme is robust against any individual attack even in noisy environments. Moreover, it also has high-efficiency since one single particle can be used to generate one bit key on average.