Security bounds for decoy-state QKD with arbitrary photon-number statistics
arXiv:2109.13830 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.105.012603
Abstract
The decoy-state method is a standard enhancement to quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols that has enabled countless QKD experiments with inexpensive light sources. However, new technological advancements might require further theoretical study of this technique. In particular, the decoy-state method is typically described under the assumption of a Poisson statistical distribution for the number of photons in each QKD pulse. This is a practical choice, because prepare-and-measure QKD is often implemented with attenuated lasers, which produce exactly this distribution. However, sources that do not meet this assumption are not guaranteed to be compatible with decoy states. In this work, we provide security bounds for decoy-state QKD using a source with an arbitrary photon emission statistic. We consider both the asymptotic limit of infinite key and the finite-size scenario, and evaluate two common decoy-state schemes: the vacuum+weak and one-decoy protocols. We numerically evaluate the performance of the bounds, comparing three realistic statistical distributions (Poisson, thermal, binomial), showing that they are all viable options for QKD.
arXiv comment7 pages, 6 figures
References in corpus (22)
- Decoy State Quantum Key Distribution
- Satellite-to-ground quantum key distribution
- Quantum Key Distribution with High Loss: Toward Global Secure Communication
- Beating the PNS attack in practical quantum cryptography
- Security Aspects of Practical Quantum Cryptography
- Practical Decoy State for Quantum Key Distribution
- Secure quantum key distribution over 421 km of optical fiber
- Tight Finite-Key Analysis for Quantum Cryptography
- Concise Security Bounds for Practical Decoy-State Quantum Key Distribution
- Practical issues in quantum-key-distribution post-processing
- Simple and efficient quantum key distribution with parametric down-conversion
- Finite-key analysis on the 1-decoy state QKD protocol
- General theory of decoy-state quantum cryptography with source errors
- Security of decoy-state quantum key distribution with inexactly controlled source
- Passive decoy state quantum key distribution: Closing the gap to perfect sources
- Practical decoy state method in quantum key distribution with heralded single photon source
- Improved practical decoy state method in quantum key distribution with parametric down conversion source
- Decoy state quantum key distribution with imperfect source
- Low Cost and Compact Quantum Cryptography
- Passive decoy state quantum key distribution with practical light sources
- Security analysis of the decoy method with the Bennett-Brassard 1984 protocol for finite key lengths
- Resource-effective Quantum Key Distribution: a field-trial in Padua city center
Cited by in corpus (4)
- Security of the decoy-state BB84 protocol with imperfect state preparation
- Decoy-state quantum key distribution over 227 km with a frequency-converted telecom single-photon source
- Phase-correlation-free quantum key distribution source operating at gigahertz rates
- Security proofs for practical QKD: variations, techniques, gaps, and limitations