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arXiv:0807.1760

Closing the gap of secure quantum key rate with the Heralded Pair-Coherent States

ShengLi Zhang, Zou, XuBo, Chenhui Jin, Guang‐Can Guo

Published Jul 11, 2008• 3 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the long-standing gap of quantum key rate between the Weak Coherent Pulse (WCP) and Heralded Single Photon Sources(HSPS) implementation of quantum cryptographical protocol. We prove that, by utilizing the Heralded Pair Coherent State (HPCS) photon sources, such a gap can be actually filled in both BB84 and SARG quantum key distribution. Thus, a universal photon source which achieves the up-to-date optimal key rate for each transmission distance is obtained.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.0807.1760

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In this paper, we investigate the long-standing gap of quantum key rate between the Weak Coherent Pulse (WCP) and Heralded Single Photon Sources(HSPS) implementation of quantum cryptographical protocol. We prove that, by utilizing the Heralded Pair Coherent State (HPCS) photon sources, such a gap can be actually filled in both BB84 and SARG quantum key distribution. Thus, a universal photon source which achieves the up-to-date optimal key rate for each transmission distance is obtained.
Recently, a long-distance and high-key-rate quantum key distribution (QKD) has become possible by the idea of the decoy state method. We show that a longer distance QKD is possible by utilizing a heralded single-photon source (HSPS) utilizing spontaneous parametric down-conversion as a source instead of a weak coherent pulse (WCP) as proposed in the original decoy state method. Moreover, the key rate is improved by utilizing a presently available photon number resolving detector as a trigger detector of the HSPS, and it is shown to approach the key rate of the WCP.
Despite technically successful experiments, most of current quantum key distribution (QKD) systems based on the original BB84 protocols are insecure. The reason is the usage of weak coherent pulses (WCP) as pseudo single photon source (SPS), which allows an eavesdropper to get full information on the key in presence of high optical losses on the transmission channel. To overcome this problem, we have developed a pulse heralded single photon source (HSPS), which we have used for QKD over 40 km of fiber.
Since the single photon is easy to attenuate and be disturbed, its key generation rate and transmission distance in quantum communication systems are generally limited. In contrast, weak coherent pulse (WCP) and heralded single photon source (HSPS) exhibit higher feasibility than the single photon source in quantum key distributions (QKD). We compare the performances of QKD using these two kinds of photon sources and decoy state method, incorporating data-postprocessing methods including the Lütkenhaus scheme and Gottesman-Lo-Lütkenhaus- Preskill (GLLP) scheme. Simulation results indicate that QKD using HSPS can transmit longer distance than using WCP with lower overall quantum bit error rate (QBER) at the same transmission distance, albeit with relatively low key generation rate.
Quantum key generation rate of decoy state quantum key distribution(QKD) with a heralded single-photon source(HSPS) is deduced.Relationship between quantum key generation rate and detection efficiency of sender is discussed.Optimal intensities and key generation rate of decoy state QKD with a weak coherent pulse(WCP) and an HSPS are analyzed.It shows that key generation rate increases with increase of detection efficiency of sender and its security distance is the same as with a perfect single photon source.Decoy state QKD increases security distance and key rate of QKD.Due to less dark counts QKD with HSPS works longer distance than WCP.
An ever-increasing demand for higher photon generation rates in quantum light sources often leads to the generation of multiple photon pairs, making quantum secure imaging, sensing, and communication vulnerable to photon number splitting (PNS) attacks. Here, we investigate the use of weak coherent sources (WCS) and heralded single-photon sources (HSPS) in conjunction with quantum key distribution protocols to mitigate these risks. Our initial observation shows that the BB84 protocol using HSPS has an advantage in secured information transfer over the WCS. We then extend our comparative study between WCS and HSPS to high dimensional protocols and conduct a rigorous analysis to estimate a benchmark for quantum advantage in secure bit rate thresholds for secure information transfer. When combined with high-dimensional states (hybrid encoding), the two-state non-orthogonal encoding protocol offers an increased resistance to PNS and unambiguous state discrimination attacks. These findings suggest that integrating high dimensional encoding would strengthen the security and performance of quantum secure imaging, sensing, and communication systems for practical and resilient implementations at shorter distances.
Recently a long distance and high key rate quantum key distribution (QKD) has become possible by the idea of the decoy state method. We show that a longer distance QKD is possible by utilizing a heralded single photon source (utilizing spontaneous parametric down-conversion) as a source instead of a weak coherent pulse (WCP) as proposed in the original decoy state method. Moreover, the key rate is improved by utilizing a presently available photon number resolving detector as a trigger detector of the heralded single photon source and it is shown to approach the key rate of the WCP.