paper

Secure quantum key distribution with an uncharacterized source

arXiv:quant-ph/0208155 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.90.057902

Abstract

We prove the security of the Bennett-Brassard (BB84) quantum key distribution protocol for an arbitrary source whose averaged states are basis-independent, a condition that is automatically satisfied if the source is suitably designed. The proof is based on the observation that, to an adversary, the key extraction process is equivalent to a measurement in the sigma_x-basis performed on a pure sigma_z-basis eigenstate. The dependence of the achievable key length on the bit error rate is the same as that established by Shor and Preskill for a perfect source, indicating that the defects in the source are efficiently detected by the protocol.

4 pages, 1 figure, REVTeX, minor revisions

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