Expandable quantum key distribution networks based on secret bits comparison

A scheme of quantum network based on multiuser differential phase shift quantum key distribution system (DPS-QKD) is proposed. In this quantum network, arbitrary two users can achieve secret bits sharing by point-to-multipoint quantum key distribution and secret bits comparison. A protocol of secret bits sharing between arbitrary two users is presented. This network can implement secret bits distribution over 200 km with higher key generation rate by today's technologies. In theory, the capacity of user numbers in this network is unlimited. Hence, our proposed quantum network can serve for a metropolitan QKD network. A wide area QKD network can be constructed with this metropolitan QKD network.     

Quantum key distribution without reference frame alignment: Exploiting photon orbital angular momentum

We present a new implementation of the BB84 quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol that employs a d-dimensional Hilbert space spanned by spatial modes of the propagating beam that have a definite value of orbital angular momentum. Each photon carries log d bits of information, increasing the key generation rate of the protocol. The states used in the transmission part of the protocol are invariant under rotations about the propagation direction, making this implementation independent of the alignment between the reference frames of the sender and receiver, and hence appealing for free space QKD. The protocol still works when these reference frames rotate with respect to each other.     

Finite-key analysis of practical time-bin high-dimensional quantum key distribution with afterpulse effect

High-dimensional quantum resources provide the ability to encode several bits of information on a single photon, which can particularly increase the secret key rate rate of quantum key distribution (QKD) systems. Recently, a practical four-dimensional QKD scheme based on time-bin quantum photonic state, only with two single-photon avalanche detectors as measurement setup, has been proven to have a superior performance than the qubit-based one. In this paper, we extend the results to our proposed eight-dimensional scheme. Then, we consider two main practical factors to improve its secret key bound. Concretely, we take the afterpulse effect into account and apply a finite-key analysis with the intensity fluctuations. Our secret bounds give consideration to both the intensity fluctuations and the afterpulse effect for the high-dimensional QKD systems. Numerical simulations show the bound of eight-dimensional QKD scheme is more robust to the intensity fluctuations but more sensitive to the afterpulse effect than the four-dimensional one.     

Experimental quantum key distribution with decoy states

To increase dramatically the distance and the secure key generation rate of quantum key distribution (QKD), the idea of quantum decoys--signals of different intensities--has recently been proposed. Here, we present the first experimental implementation of decoy state QKD. By making simple modifications to a commercial quantum key distribution system, we show that a secure key generation rate of 165 bit/s, which is 1/4 of the theoretical limit, can be obtained over 15 km of a telecommunication fiber. We also show that with the same experimental parameters, not even a single bit of secure key can be extracted with a non-decoy-state protocol. Compared to building single photon sources, decoy state QKD is a much simpler method for increasing the distance and key generation rate of unconditionally secure QKD.     

Secure quantum key distribution with a single not-so-weak coherent pulse

We propose a secure quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol using a single not-so-weak coherent qubit. With two preprocesses for random rotation and compensation, a key bit is encoded to a randomly polarized not-so-weak coherent qubit. We analyze the security of the QKD protocol, which counters the photon number splitting and the impersonation attacks. The estimated mean number of photon, which is less than 6.0, guarantees security. Additionally, we discuss the possibility of quantum secure direct communication.     

Improving Key Rate of Optical Fiber Quantum Key Distribution System Based on Channel Tomography

We investigate the key rate of polarization-coded optical fiber-based quantum key distribution system (QKD) with BB84 protocol by channel tomography. The quantum bit error rate (QBER) of the QKD system under depolarizing channel is obtained by analyzing output density operators, transmission rate of channel, transmission rate of the receiver and dark count of single photon detector. According to the estimated QBER an LDPC chosen adaptively is applied to information reconciliation and the practical final key rate is discussed. Analysis results show that compared with cascade scheme and no channel knowledge the key rate can be improved by the proposed reconciliation scheme with channel tomography.     

Quantum key distribution series network protocol with M-classical Bobs

Secure key distribution among classical parties is impossible both between two parties and in a network. In this paper, we present a quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol to distribute secure key bits among one quantum party and numerous classical parties who have no quantum capacity. We prove that our protocol is completely robust, i.e., any eavesdropping attack should be detected with nonzero probability. Our calculations show that our protocol may be secure against Eve’s symmetrically individual attack.     

A two-step quantum secure direct communication protocol with hyperentanglement

We propose a two-step quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) protocol with hyperentanglement in both the spatial-mode and the polarization degrees of freedom of photon pairs which can in principle be produced with a beta barium borate crystal. The secret message can be encoded on the photon pairs with unitary operations in these two degrees of freedom independently. This QSDC protocol has a higher capacity than the original two-step QSDC protocol as each photon pair can carry 4 bits of information. Compared with the QSDC protocol based on hyperdense coding, this QSDC protocol has the immunity to Trojan horse attack strategies with the process for determining the number of the photons in each quantum signal as it is a one-way quantum communication protocol.     

2 GHz clock quantum key distribution over 260 km of standard telecom fiber

We report a demonstration of quantum key distribution (QKD) over a standard telecom fiber exceeding 50 dB in loss and 250 km in length. The differential phase shift QKD protocol was chosen and implemented with a 2 GHz system clock rate. By careful optimization of the 1 bit delayed Faraday-Michelson interferometer and the use of the superconducting single photon detector (SSPD), we achieved a quantum bit error rate below 2% when the fiber length was no more than 205 km, and of 3.45% for a 260 km fiber with 52.9 dB loss. We also improved the quantum efficiency of SSPD to obtain a high key rate for 50 km length.     

Quantum Key-Distribution Protocols Based on a Quantum Version of the Monty Hall Game

This work illustrates a possible application of quantum game theory to the area of quantum information, in particular to quantum cryptography. The study proposed two quantum key-distribution (QKD) protocols based on the quantum version of the Monty Hall game devised by Flitney and Abbott. Unlike most QKD protocols, in which the bits from which the key is going to be extracted are encoded in a basis choice (as in BB84), these are encoded in an operation choice. The first proposed protocol uses qutrits to describe the state of the system and the same game operators proposed by Flitney and Abbott. The motivation behind the second proposal is to simplify a possible physical implementation by adapting the formalism of the qutrit protocol to use qubits and simple logical quantum gates. In both protocols, the security relies on the violation of a Bell-type inequality, for two qutrits and for six qubits in each case. Results show a higher ratio of violation than the E91 protocol.     

Single-photon continuous-variable quantum key distribution based on the energy-time uncertainty relation

We propose a new quantum key distribution protocol in which information is encoded on continuous variables of a single photon. In this protocol, Alice randomly encodes her information on either the central frequency of a narrowband single-photon pulse or the time delay of a broadband single-photon pulse, while Bob randomly chooses to do either frequency measurement or time measurement. The security of this protocol rests on the energy-time uncertainty relation, which prevents Eve from simultaneously determining both frequency and time information with arbitrarily high resolution. Since no interferometer is employed in this scheme, it is more robust against various channel noises, such as polarization and phase fluctuations.     

基于六光子量子避错码的量子密钥分发方案

量子信道中不可避免存在的噪声将扭曲被传输的信息,对通信造成危害。目前克服量子信道噪声的较好方案是量子避错码（QEAC）。将量子避错码思想用于量子密钥分发,能有效克服信道中的噪声,且无需复杂的系统。用六光子构造了量子避错码,提出了一种丛于六光子避错码的量子密钥分发（QDK）方案。以提高量子密钥分发的量子比特效率和安全性为前提,对六光子避错码的所有可能态进行组合,得到一种六光子避错码的最优组合方法,可将两比特信息编码在一个态中,根据测肇结果和分组信息进行解码,得到正确信息的平均概率为7／16。与最近的基于四光子避错码的克服量子信道噪声的量子密钥分发方案相比,该方案的量子比特效率提高了16．67％,密钥分发安全性足它的3．5倍。     

High-capacity quantum secure direct communication with two-photon six-qubit hyperentangled states

This study proposes the first high-capacity quantum secure direct communication(QSDC) with two-photon six-qubit hyperentangled Bell states in two longitudinal momentum and polarization degrees of freedom(DOFs) of photon pairs, which can be generated using two 0.5 mm-thick type-I β barium borate crystal slabs aligned one behind the other and an eight-hole screen. The secret message can be independently encoded on the photon pairs with 64 unitary operations in all three DOFs. This protocol has a higher capacity than previous QSDC protocols because each photon pair can carry 6 bits of information, not just 2 or 4 bits.Our QSDC protocol decreases the influence of decoherence from environment noise by exploiting the decoy photons to check the security of the transmission of the first photon sequence. Compared with two-way QSDC protocols, our QSDC protocol is immune to an attack by an eavesdropper using Trojan horse attack strategies because it is a one-way quantum communication.The QSDC protocol has good applications in the future quantum communication because of all these features.     

基于不同介质间量子密钥分发的研究

文章主要解决了偏振编码的光子在不同介质间进行量子密钥分发的问题,定量地分析了光子不同分量的不同透过率引起的误码率问题,并实际分析了空气-水介质间量子密钥分发引起的误码率.进一步给出了可以消除这种非理想BB84协议的单光子补偿方案,以及可以采用更加鲁棒、实用性的抗界面非幺正噪声的双光子编码方案,从而为未来实现全地域广域量子通信迈出了重要的一步.     

一种稳定的自由空间量子密钥分配实验系统

基于量子密钥分配的基本原理,采用B92方案,以单光子作为信息载体,使用极化编码,搭建了一个简单易行的实验装置,实现了自由空间传输的量子密钥分配,平均每脉冲光子数为0．1,粗码率12．7kbits／s,误码率4％左右。     

Performance of a quantum key distribution protocol with dual-rail displaced photon states

We propose a scheme for a quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol with dual-rail displaced photon states. Displaced single-photon states with different amplitudes carry bit values of code that may be extracted, while coherent states carry nothing and only provide an inconclusive outcome. A real resource of single photons is used, involving imperfections associated with experimental technique that result in a photon state with an admixture of the vacuum state. The protocol is robust against the loss of a single photon and the inefficiency of the detectors. Pulses with large amplitudes, unlike the conventional QKD relying on faint laser pulses, are used that may approximate it to standard telecommunication and may show resistance to eaves-dropping even in settings with high attenuation. Information leakage to the eavesdropper is determined from comparison of the output distributions of the outcomes with ideal ones that are defined by two additional parameters accessible to only those send the pulses. Robustness to some possible eavesdropping attacks is shown.     

A linear optical protocol of random quantum key distribution by using polarization entangled photons

Utilized polarization entangled photons, a linear optical protocol for generating random quantum key distribution (QKD) is proposed, which is made up of EPR-source, linear optical elements, and conventional photon detectors. It is shown that total efficiency of QKD η=100% in theory.     

Practical non-orthogonal decoy state quantum key distribution with heralded single photon source

Recently the performance of the quantum key distribution （QKD） is substantially improved by the decoy state method and the non-orthogonal encoding protocol, separately. In this paper, a practical non-orthogonal decoy state protocol with a heralded single photon source （HSPS） for QKD is presented. The protocol is based on 4 states with different intensities. i.e. one signal state and three decoy states. The signal state is for generating keys; the decoy states are for detecting the eavesdropping and estimating the fraction of single-photon and two-photon pulses. We have discussed three cases of this protocol, i.e. the general case, the optimal case and the special case. Moreover, the final key rate over transmission distance is simulated. For the low dark count of the HSPS and the utilization of the two-photon pulses, our protocol has a higher key rate and a longer transmission distance than any other decoy state protocol.     

Bidirectional Quantum Secure Direct Communication Network Protocol with Hyperentanglement

We propose a bidirectional quantum secure direct communication (QSDC) network protocol with the hyperentanglment in both the spatial-mode ad the polarization degrees of freedom of photon pairs which can in principle be produced with a beta barium borate crystal. The secret message can be encoded on the photon pairs with unitary operations in these two degrees of freedom independently. Compared with other QSDC network protocols, our QSDC network protocol has a higher capacity as each photon pair can carry 4 bits of information. Also, we discuss the security of our QSDC network protocol and its feasibility with current techniques.     

Beyond the Limits of Shannon’s Information in Quantum Key Distribution

We present a new post-processing method for Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) that raises cubically the secret key rate in the number of double matching detection events. In Shannon’s communication model, information is prepared at Alice’s side, and it is then intended to pass it over a noisy channel. In our approach, secret bits do not rely in Alice’s transmitted quantum bits but in Bob’s basis measurement choices. Therefore, measured bits are publicly revealed, while bases selections remain secret. Our method implements sifting, reconciliation, and amplification in a unique process, and it just requires a round iteration; no redundancy bits are sent, and there is no limit in the correctable error percentage. Moreover, this method can be implemented as a post-processing software into QKD technologies already in use.