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arXiv:1901.05009 · Scientific Reports

Coherent-State-Based Twin-Field Quantum Key Distribution

Hua-Lei Yin, Zeng-Bing Chen

Published Oct 17, 2019• 53 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Large-scale quantum communication networks are still a huge challenge due to the rate-distance limit of quantum key distribution (QKD). Recently, twin-field (TF) QKD has been proposed to overcome this limit. Here, we prove that coherent-state-based TF-QKD is a time-reversed entanglement protocol, where the entanglement generation is realized with entanglement swapping operation via an entangled coherent state measurement. We propose a coherent-state-based TF-QKD with optimal secret key rate under symmetric and asymmetric channels by using coherent state and cat state coding. Furthermore, we show that our protocol can be converted to all recent coherent-state-based TF-QKD protocols by using our security proof. By using the entanglement purification with two-way classical communication, we improve the transmission distance of all coherent-state-based TF-QKD protocols.

DOI
10.1038/s41598-019-50429-0

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Large-scale quantum communication networks are still a huge challenge due to the rate-distance limit of quantum key distribution (QKD). Recently, twin-field (TF) QKD has been proposed to overcome this limit. Here, we prove that coherent-state-based TF-QKD is a time-reversed entanglement protocol, where the entanglement generation is realized with entanglement swapping operation via an entangled coherent state measurement. We propose a coherent-state-based TF-QKD with optimal secret key rate under symmetric and asymmetric channels by using coherent state and cat state coding. Furthermore, we show that our protocol can be converted to all recent coherent-state-based TF-QKD protocols by using our security proof. By using the entanglement purification with two-way classical communication, we improve the transmission distance of all coherent-state-based TF-QKD protocols.
Long-distance quantum key distribution (QKD) has long time seriously relied on trusted relay or quantum repeater, which either has security threat or is far from practical implementation. Recently, a solution called twin-field (TF) QKD and its variants have been proposed to overcome this challenge. However, most security proofs are complicated, a majority of which could only ensure security against collective attacks. Until now, the full and simple security proof can only be provided with asymptotic resource assumption. Here, we provide a composable finite-key analysis for coherent-state-based TF-QKD with rigorous security proof against general attacks. Furthermore, we develop the optimal statistical fluctuation analysis method to significantly improve secret key rate in high-loss regime. The results show that coherent-state-based TF-QKD is practical and feasible, with the potential to apply over nearly one thousand kilometers.
Abstract Twin-Field (TF) quantum key distribution (QKD) is a major candidate to be the new benchmark for far-distance QKD implementations, since its secret key rate can overcome the repeaterless bound by means of a simple interferometric measurement. Many variants of the original protocol have been recently proven to be secure. Here, we focus on the TF-QKD type protocol proposed by Curty et al (2019 NPJ Quantum Inf. 5 64), which can provide a high secret key rate and whose practical feasibility has been demonstrated in various recent experiments. The security of this protocol relies on the estimation of certain detection probabilities (yields) through the decoy-state technique. Analytical bounds on the relevant yields have been recently derived assuming that both parties use the same set of decoy intensities, thus providing sub-optimal key rates in asymmetric-loss scenarios. Here we derive new analytical bounds when the parties use either two, three or four independent decoy intensity settings each. With the new bounds we optimize the protocol’s performance in asymmetric-loss scenarios and show that the protocol is robust against uncorrelated intensity fluctuations affecting the parties’ lasers.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) allows two remote parties to share information-theoretically secure keys. In recent years, a revolutionary breakthrough called twin-field (TF) QKD has been developed to overcome the linear key-rate constraint and greatly increases the achievable distance. Phase randomization and subsequent postselection play roles in its security proof. Later, no-phase-postselection TF QKD was proposed and became a popular variant, since the removal of phase postselection leads to a higher key rate. However, the achievable distance is decreased compared to the original one. Here, we propose a TF QKD protocol with partial phase postselection. Namely, its code mode is still free from global phase randomization and postselection to make sure the advantage of the high key rate remain. On the other hand, phase postselection is introduced in the decoy mode to improve the performance. Applying an operator dominance condition, we prove universal security of the proposed protocol in the finite-key case under coherent attacks, and numerical simulations confirm its potential advantages in terms of key rate and achievable distance.
Twin-field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD) is recognized as a promising approach to surpass the repeaterless key rate bound, playing a pivotal role in long-distance quantum communication. However, conventional TF-QKD implementations rely on laser coherence, where coherent-state sources differ fundamentally from the non-classical light sources required for future quantum networks. Recent advances demonstrate that quantum dot (QD) sources can generate high-purity coherent single-photon states on demand, exhibiting both perfect antibunching and long coherence times akin to laser source. Here, we propose a six-state TF-QKD protocol utilizing coherent single-photon states, which can be directly achieved through current experimental techniques. Simulation results indicate that our protocol achieves significantly enhanced key rates and extended transmission distances. Moreover, a data size on the order of 108 is sufficient to surpass the repeaterless key rate bound, demonstrating particular robustness against finite-size effects. Our work paves the way for the direct implementation of long-distance quantum key distribution utilizing future quantum network infrastructure.
The twin-field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD) protocol is designed to beat the rate-distance limit of quantum key distributions without employing quantum repeaters; meanwhile, it can offer the measurement-device-independent secure level. In this Letter, we propose to improve the performance of TF-QKD protocols by employing modified coherent states. Based on the Wang et al. sending-or-not scheme [Phys. Rev. A98, 062323 (2018)PLRAAN1050-294710.1103/PhysRevA.98.062323], we study the key rate with the modified coherent states in finite data size and do comparisons with the one using weak coherent states. Through numerical simulations, we demonstrate that modified coherent states can substantially increase the performance of QKD more than the latter.
Abstract Twin-Field quantum key distribution (TF-QKD) and its variants, e.g. phase-maching QKD, sending-or-not-sending QKD, and no phase post-selection TFQKD promise high key rates at long distance to beat the rate distance limit without a repeater. The security proof of these protocols are based on decoy-state method, which is usually performed by actively modulating a variable optical attenuator together with a random number generator in practical experiments, however, active-decoy schemes like this may lead to side channel and could open a security loophole. To enhance the source security of TF-QKD, in this paper, we propose passive-decoy based TF-QKD, in which we combine TF-QKD with the passive-decoy method. And we present a simulation comparing the key generation rate with that in active-decoy, the result shows our scheme performs as good as active decoy TF-QKD, and our scheme could reach satisfactory secret key rates with just a few photon detectors. This shows our work is meaningful in practice.