Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1103.4105 · Physical Review A

Semi-device-independent security of one-way quantum key distribution

Marcin Pawłowski, Nicolas Brunner

Published Jul 15, 2011• 289 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

By testing nonlocality, the security of entanglement-based quantum key distribution (QKD) can be enhanced to being ``device-independent.'' Here we ask whether such a strong form of security could also be established for one-way (prepare and measure) QKD. While fully device-independent security is impossible, we show that security can be guaranteed against individual attacks in a semi-device-independent scenario. In the latter, the devices used by the trusted parties are noncharacterized, but the dimensionality of the quantum systems used in the protocol is assumed to be bounded. Our security proof relies on the analogies between one-way QKD, dimension witnesses, and random-access codes.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.84.010302

Related papers

On the security of semi-device-independent QKD protocols

Anubhav Chaturvedi, Maharshi Ray, Ryszard Veynar +1 more

While fully device-independent security in (BB84-like) prepare-and-measure quantum key distribution (QKD) is impossible, it can be guaranteed against individual attacks in a semi-device-independent (SDI) scenario, wherein no assumptions are made on the characteristics of the hardware used except for an upper bound on the dimension of the communicated system. Studying security under such minimal assumptions is especially relevant in the context of the recent quantum hacking attacks wherein the eavesdroppers can not only construct the devices used by the communicating parties but are also able to remotely alter their behavior. In this work, we study the security of a SDIQKD protocol based on the prepare-and-measure quantum implementation of a well-known cryptographic primitive, the random access code (RAC). We consider imperfect detectors and establish the critical values of the security parameters (the observed success probability of the RAC and the detection efficiency) required for guaranteeing security against eavesdroppers with and without quantum memory. Furthermore, we suggest a minimal characterization of the preparation device in order to lower the requirements for establishing a secure key.

arXiv:1504.00939•Quantum Information Processing•Apr 21, 2018•19 citations

Security of a practical semi-device-independent quantum key distribution protocol against collective attacks

Yang Wang, Wan‐Su Bao, Hong-Wei Li +2 more

Similar to device-independent quantum key distribution (DI-QKD), semi-device-independent quantum key distribution (SDI-QKD) provides secure key distribution without any assumptions about the internal workings of the QKD devices. The only assumption is that the dimension of the Hilbert space is bounded. But SDI-QKD can be implemented in a one-way prepare-and-measure configuration without entanglement compared with DI-QKD. We propose a practical SDI-QKD protocol with four preparation states and three measurement bases by considering the maximal violation of dimension witnesses and specific processes of a QKD protocol. Moreover, we prove the security of the SDI-QKD protocol against collective attacks based on the min-entropy and dimension witnesses. We also show a comparison of the secret key rate between the SDI-QKD protocol and the standard QKD.

Chinese Physics B•Jul 31, 2014•11 citations

Proof of Security of a Semi-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution Protocol

Peng Xu, Wan‐Su Bao, Hong-Wei Li +2 more

Semi-device-independent quantum key distribution (SDI-QKD) has been proposed by applying the quantum dimension correlation, and the security relies on the violation of quantum dimension witness inequalities. We prove the security of the SDI-QKD protocol under the depolarization channel by considering the quantum dimension witness inequalities and minimum entropy and the specific process of the QKD protocol, combining with a four-quantum-state preparation and three measurement bases. We also provide the relationship between the dimension witness value, the error rate and the security key rate by the numerical simulation.

Chinese Physics Letters•Feb 1, 2017•5 citations

Device-independent quantum key distribution using single-photon entanglement

Shafie Kamaruddin, Jesni Shamsul Shaari

Quantum key distribution (QKD) with security features based on the notion of nonlocality has provided valuable insights into the possibility of device-independent scenarios. The essential resource for nonlocality in Nature described by quantum physics has been mainly associated with entanglement of two particles or more, although it has been shown that nonlocality of a single particle is indeed possible. Here, we consider a quantum key distribution scheme based on Phys. Rev. A, 68 (2003) 012324 exploiting single-particle nonlocality testing to demonstrate its security. We present our analysis of security against individual attack within a device-independent scenario where Eve is constrained only by the no-signaling principle. We further consider a family of QKD protocols based on binary measurements and discuss the possibility of optimal scenarios.

Europhysics Letters (EPL)•Apr 1, 2015•6 citations

Fully device independent quantum key distribution

Umesh V. Vazirani, Thomas Vidick

Quantum cryptography promises levels of security that are impossible to attain in a classical world. Can this security be guaranteed to classical users of a quantum protocol, who may not even trust the quantum devices used to implement the protocol? This central question dates back to the early 1990s when the challenge of achieving Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution (DIQKD) was first formulated. We answer the challenge by rigorously proving the device-independent security of an entanglement-based protocol building on Ekert's original proposal for quantum key distribution. The proof of security builds on techniques from the classical theory of pseudo-randomness to achieve a new quantitative understanding of the non-local nature of quantum correlations.

Communications of the ACM•Mar 20, 2019•146 citations

Quantum correlations in prepare-and-measure scenarios and their semi-device-independent applications

Jonatan Bohr Brask, Nicolas Brunner, Jef Pauwels +2 more

A key aspect in quantum information is to understand the advantage offered by quantum systems over classical ones in communication tasks. In recent years, a fundamental approach to this problem has been developed, focusing on quantum correlations in prepare-and-measure scenarios. Inspired by the developments in Bell nonlocality and device-independent information processing, this line of research aims to characterize the possibilities and limits of quantum systems for communication, in particular to precisely capture the advantage they offer over classical systems. In addition to fundamental insights, these ideas also underpin the concept of semi-device-independent quantum information processing. Exploring trade-offs between security, performance and ease-of-implementation, this approach opens promising directions for novel quantum information processing technologies and devices. A number of protocols and proof-of-principle demonstrations have been reported in recent years, in particular for quantum randomness certification and key distribution. Here, we provide a comprehensive introduction to quantum prepare-and-measure correlations and semi-device independent applications.

quant-pharXiv:2603.23604•Mar 26, 2026•0 citations
By testing nonlocality, the security of entanglement-based quantum key distribution (QKD) can be enhanced to being ``device-independent.'' Here we ask whether such a strong form of security could also be established for one-way (prepare and measure) QKD. While fully device-independent security is impossible, we show that security can be guaranteed against individual attacks in a semi-device-independent scenario. In the latter, the devices used by the trusted parties are noncharacterized, but the dimensionality of the quantum systems used in the protocol is assumed to be bounded. Our security proof relies on the analogies between one-way QKD, dimension witnesses, and random-access codes.
While fully device-independent security in (BB84-like) prepare-and-measure quantum key distribution (QKD) is impossible, it can be guaranteed against individual attacks in a semi-device-independent (SDI) scenario, wherein no assumptions are made on the characteristics of the hardware used except for an upper bound on the dimension of the communicated system. Studying security under such minimal assumptions is especially relevant in the context of the recent quantum hacking attacks wherein the eavesdroppers can not only construct the devices used by the communicating parties but are also able to remotely alter their behavior. In this work, we study the security of a SDIQKD protocol based on the prepare-and-measure quantum implementation of a well-known cryptographic primitive, the random access code (RAC). We consider imperfect detectors and establish the critical values of the security parameters (the observed success probability of the RAC and the detection efficiency) required for guaranteeing security against eavesdroppers with and without quantum memory. Furthermore, we suggest a minimal characterization of the preparation device in order to lower the requirements for establishing a secure key.
Similar to device-independent quantum key distribution (DI-QKD), semi-device-independent quantum key distribution (SDI-QKD) provides secure key distribution without any assumptions about the internal workings of the QKD devices. The only assumption is that the dimension of the Hilbert space is bounded. But SDI-QKD can be implemented in a one-way prepare-and-measure configuration without entanglement compared with DI-QKD. We propose a practical SDI-QKD protocol with four preparation states and three measurement bases by considering the maximal violation of dimension witnesses and specific processes of a QKD protocol. Moreover, we prove the security of the SDI-QKD protocol against collective attacks based on the min-entropy and dimension witnesses. We also show a comparison of the secret key rate between the SDI-QKD protocol and the standard QKD.
Semi-device-independent quantum key distribution (SDI-QKD) has been proposed by applying the quantum dimension correlation, and the security relies on the violation of quantum dimension witness inequalities. We prove the security of the SDI-QKD protocol under the depolarization channel by considering the quantum dimension witness inequalities and minimum entropy and the specific process of the QKD protocol, combining with a four-quantum-state preparation and three measurement bases. We also provide the relationship between the dimension witness value, the error rate and the security key rate by the numerical simulation.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) with security features based on the notion of nonlocality has provided valuable insights into the possibility of device-independent scenarios. The essential resource for nonlocality in Nature described by quantum physics has been mainly associated with entanglement of two particles or more, although it has been shown that nonlocality of a single particle is indeed possible. Here, we consider a quantum key distribution scheme based on Phys. Rev. A, 68 (2003) 012324 exploiting single-particle nonlocality testing to demonstrate its security. We present our analysis of security against individual attack within a device-independent scenario where Eve is constrained only by the no-signaling principle. We further consider a family of QKD protocols based on binary measurements and discuss the possibility of optimal scenarios.
Quantum cryptography promises levels of security that are impossible to attain in a classical world. Can this security be guaranteed to classical users of a quantum protocol, who may not even trust the quantum devices used to implement the protocol? This central question dates back to the early 1990s when the challenge of achieving Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution (DIQKD) was first formulated. We answer the challenge by rigorously proving the device-independent security of an entanglement-based protocol building on Ekert's original proposal for quantum key distribution. The proof of security builds on techniques from the classical theory of pseudo-randomness to achieve a new quantitative understanding of the non-local nature of quantum correlations.
A key aspect in quantum information is to understand the advantage offered by quantum systems over classical ones in communication tasks. In recent years, a fundamental approach to this problem has been developed, focusing on quantum correlations in prepare-and-measure scenarios. Inspired by the developments in Bell nonlocality and device-independent information processing, this line of research aims to characterize the possibilities and limits of quantum systems for communication, in particular to precisely capture the advantage they offer over classical systems. In addition to fundamental insights, these ideas also underpin the concept of semi-device-independent quantum information processing. Exploring trade-offs between security, performance and ease-of-implementation, this approach opens promising directions for novel quantum information processing technologies and devices. A number of protocols and proof-of-principle demonstrations have been reported in recent years, in particular for quantum randomness certification and key distribution. Here, we provide a comprehensive introduction to quantum prepare-and-measure correlations and semi-device independent applications.