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:2201.06540 · IET Quantum Communication

Integrated semi‐quantum layered communication

Rajni Bala, Sooryansh Asthana, V. Ravishankar

Published Nov 7, 2023• 2 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Abstract In recent times, secure quantum communication in layered networks has emerged as an important area of study. The authors harness the potential offered by multidimensional states in secure quantum communication with only one quantum participant and all the other classical participants. Three protocols are proposed for—(i) entanglement‐based layered semi‐quantum key distribution, (ii) layered semi‐quantum secret sharing, and (iii) integrated layered semi‐quantum key distribution and secret sharing to share secret information in arbitrarily layered networks. These protocols integrate the features of semi‐quantum communication in layered networks. All three protocols allow for simultaneous distribution of secure information in all the layers of a network, thanks to the employment of multidimensional states. These protocols are presented for a small network of at most five participants and three layers and show the robustness of the same against various eavesdropping strategies. Finally, a detailed procedure is provided for generalisations of the proposed protocols to distribute keys/secrets in any arbitrarily structured quantum network.

DOI
10.1049/qtc2.12075

Related papers

Task-dependent semi-quantum secure communication in layered networks with OAM states of light

Rajni Bala, Sooryansh Asthana, V. Ravishankar

Secure communication in layered networks having differently preferred participants has attracted a lot of research attention. Protocols for key distribution in a layered network have been recently proposed in [M. Pivoluska et al., Phys. Rev. A 97, 032312] by employing asymmetrically entangled multiqudit states. Due to the employment of asymmetrically entangled multiqudit states, the yield of these protocols is very low. To address this issue, in this work, we have proposed semi-quantum secure communication protocols by employing separable states only which give a better yield and a higher key generation rate. As illustrations, we present two representative protocols. The first protocol allows sharing of two keys simultaneously in a network of two layers. The second protocol facilitates direct communication in one layer and key distribution in the other. The separable states, i.e., coherent pulses of orbital angular momentum required in the protocols are easily realizable with current technologies.

arXiv:2306.11728•Jun 20, 2023•0 citations

Quantum key distribution networks layer model

Hao Wen, Zheng‐Fu Han, Peilin Hong +1 more

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) networks allow multiple users to generate and share secret quantum keys with unconditional security. Although many schemes of QKD networks have been presented, they are only concentrated on the system realization and physical implementations. For the complete practical quantum network, a succinct theoretic model that systematically describes the working processes from physical schemes to key process protocols, from network topology to key management, and from quantum communication to classical communication is still absent. One would hope that research and experience have shown that there are certain succinct model in the design of communication network. With demonstration of the different QKD links and the four primary types of quantum networks including probability multiplexing, wavelength multiplexing, time multiplexing and quantum multiplexing, we suggest a layer model for QKD networks which will be compatible with different implementations and protocols. We divide it into four main layers by their functional independency while defining each layer's services and responsibilities in detail, orderly named quantum links layer, quantum networks layer, quantum key distribution protocols process layer, and keys management layer. It will be helpful for the systematic design and construction of real QKD networks.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Oct 26, 2007•4 citations

Three Attacks on the Mediated Semi‐Quantum Key Distribution without Invoking Quantum Measurement

Xiangfu Zou, Zhenbang Rong, Nanrun Zhou

Abstract Semi‐quantum key distribution is a very interesting new branch of quantum key distribution. It can be implemented when one or more participants are restricted to operate quantum states only on the quantum computational basis. Very recently, a mediated semi‐quantum key distribution protocol without invoking two participants' quantum measurement has been proposed. The protocol allows two “classical” participants without sophisticated quantum capability to establish a shared secret key under an untrusted third party. It is claimed that the protocol is secure against several well‐known attacks. However, in this paper, it is first pointed out that there exist three attacks “Measurement Attack, Modification Attack, and Collective Attack” on the mediated semi‐quantum key distribution protocol without invoking quantum measurement. By proposed attacks, a malicious third party can obtain the secret key without being noticed by legitimated participants.

Annalen der Physik•Jul 9, 2020•5 citations

Approaches to Developing Key Distribution Protocols Based on Quantum Key Distribution

Yenlik Begimbayeva

Quantum protocols for generating shared secret keys represent an effective method of ensuring secure information transmission using quantum communication channels. However, they are limited in scalability due to the physical constraints of quantum channels, which necessitates the use of classical communication channels for exchanging information between participants. This leads to the necessity of developing security threat models and network protection, especially in the case of hybrid networks, where quantum channels are used alongside classical ones. The peculiarity of constructing quantum key distribution protocols is associated with the costliness of implementation and implies the inevitable use of classical communication channels for key distribution. This paper addresses the task of ensuring the security of communication between subscribers not directly connected by quantum channels, through intermediary nodes, and analyzes threats from internal and external adversaries. Special attention is paid to situations where both types of adversaries have information about the processes and protocols in the network. The paper examines widely used key distribution protocols employed in practice. It describes the main security requirements applied to key distribution protocols, and presents the results of an analysis of the compliance of the discussed protocols with these requirements

Journal of Electrical Systems•May 4, 2024•0 citations

Anonymous and secret communication in quantum networks

Christopher Thalacker, Frederik Hahn, Jarn de Jong +2 more

Abstract Secure communication is one of the key applications of quantum networks. In recent years, following the demands for identity protection in classical communication protocols, the need for anonymity has also emerged for quantum networks. Here, we demonstrate that quantum physics allows parties—besides communicating securely over a network—to also keep their identities secret. We implement such an anonymous quantum conference key agreement by sharing multipartite entangled states in a quantum network. We demonstrate the protocol with four parties and establish keys in subsets of the network—different combinations of two and three parties—whilst keeping the participating parties anonymous. We additionally show that the protocol is verifiable and run multiple key generation and verification routines. Our work thus addresses one of the key challenges of networked communication: keeping the identities of the communicating parties private.

arXiv:2103.08722•New Journal of Physics•Jul 27, 2021•29 citations

Improvements on Efficient Controlled Semi‐Quantum Secret Sharing With Entangled States

Cai Zhang, Ruiqing Zhang, Run-hua Tang +1 more

ABSTRACT Semi‐quantum secret sharing represents a significant area in quantum cryptography, offering the advantage of not requiring all participants to be fully quantum‐capable. Recently, Houshmand et al. (Opt. Quant. Electron. 2024, 56(5), 759) proposed a controlled semi‐quantum secret sharing protocol based on entangled states and claimed it was secure. However, the results of our analysis indicate that its security check is flawed and that the secret can be recovered if collaborates with any single other classical user. Accordingly, we propose an improved protocol that rectifies the flaws and resists not only the aforementioned attack, but also attacks initiated by up to dishonest users. In addition, our analysis of an existing denial‐of‐service attack shows that this attack cannot induce classical users to recover incorrect secrets. Consequently, no security check is necessary for this attack.

Advanced Quantum Technologies•Mar 1, 2026•0 citations
Abstract In recent times, secure quantum communication in layered networks has emerged as an important area of study. The authors harness the potential offered by multidimensional states in secure quantum communication with only one quantum participant and all the other classical participants. Three protocols are proposed for—(i) entanglement‐based layered semi‐quantum key distribution, (ii) layered semi‐quantum secret sharing, and (iii) integrated layered semi‐quantum key distribution and secret sharing to share secret information in arbitrarily layered networks. These protocols integrate the features of semi‐quantum communication in layered networks. All three protocols allow for simultaneous distribution of secure information in all the layers of a network, thanks to the employment of multidimensional states. These protocols are presented for a small network of at most five participants and three layers and show the robustness of the same against various eavesdropping strategies. Finally, a detailed procedure is provided for generalisations of the proposed protocols to distribute keys/secrets in any arbitrarily structured quantum network.
Secure communication in layered networks having differently preferred participants has attracted a lot of research attention. Protocols for key distribution in a layered network have been recently proposed in [M. Pivoluska et al., Phys. Rev. A 97, 032312] by employing asymmetrically entangled multiqudit states. Due to the employment of asymmetrically entangled multiqudit states, the yield of these protocols is very low. To address this issue, in this work, we have proposed semi-quantum secure communication protocols by employing separable states only which give a better yield and a higher key generation rate. As illustrations, we present two representative protocols. The first protocol allows sharing of two keys simultaneously in a network of two layers. The second protocol facilitates direct communication in one layer and key distribution in the other. The separable states, i.e., coherent pulses of orbital angular momentum required in the protocols are easily realizable with current technologies.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) networks allow multiple users to generate and share secret quantum keys with unconditional security. Although many schemes of QKD networks have been presented, they are only concentrated on the system realization and physical implementations. For the complete practical quantum network, a succinct theoretic model that systematically describes the working processes from physical schemes to key process protocols, from network topology to key management, and from quantum communication to classical communication is still absent. One would hope that research and experience have shown that there are certain succinct model in the design of communication network. With demonstration of the different QKD links and the four primary types of quantum networks including probability multiplexing, wavelength multiplexing, time multiplexing and quantum multiplexing, we suggest a layer model for QKD networks which will be compatible with different implementations and protocols. We divide it into four main layers by their functional independency while defining each layer's services and responsibilities in detail, orderly named quantum links layer, quantum networks layer, quantum key distribution protocols process layer, and keys management layer. It will be helpful for the systematic design and construction of real QKD networks.
Abstract Semi‐quantum key distribution is a very interesting new branch of quantum key distribution. It can be implemented when one or more participants are restricted to operate quantum states only on the quantum computational basis. Very recently, a mediated semi‐quantum key distribution protocol without invoking two participants' quantum measurement has been proposed. The protocol allows two “classical” participants without sophisticated quantum capability to establish a shared secret key under an untrusted third party. It is claimed that the protocol is secure against several well‐known attacks. However, in this paper, it is first pointed out that there exist three attacks “Measurement Attack, Modification Attack, and Collective Attack” on the mediated semi‐quantum key distribution protocol without invoking quantum measurement. By proposed attacks, a malicious third party can obtain the secret key without being noticed by legitimated participants.
Quantum protocols for generating shared secret keys represent an effective method of ensuring secure information transmission using quantum communication channels. However, they are limited in scalability due to the physical constraints of quantum channels, which necessitates the use of classical communication channels for exchanging information between participants. This leads to the necessity of developing security threat models and network protection, especially in the case of hybrid networks, where quantum channels are used alongside classical ones. The peculiarity of constructing quantum key distribution protocols is associated with the costliness of implementation and implies the inevitable use of classical communication channels for key distribution. This paper addresses the task of ensuring the security of communication between subscribers not directly connected by quantum channels, through intermediary nodes, and analyzes threats from internal and external adversaries. Special attention is paid to situations where both types of adversaries have information about the processes and protocols in the network. The paper examines widely used key distribution protocols employed in practice. It describes the main security requirements applied to key distribution protocols, and presents the results of an analysis of the compliance of the discussed protocols with these requirements
Abstract Secure communication is one of the key applications of quantum networks. In recent years, following the demands for identity protection in classical communication protocols, the need for anonymity has also emerged for quantum networks. Here, we demonstrate that quantum physics allows parties—besides communicating securely over a network—to also keep their identities secret. We implement such an anonymous quantum conference key agreement by sharing multipartite entangled states in a quantum network. We demonstrate the protocol with four parties and establish keys in subsets of the network—different combinations of two and three parties—whilst keeping the participating parties anonymous. We additionally show that the protocol is verifiable and run multiple key generation and verification routines. Our work thus addresses one of the key challenges of networked communication: keeping the identities of the communicating parties private.
ABSTRACT Semi‐quantum secret sharing represents a significant area in quantum cryptography, offering the advantage of not requiring all participants to be fully quantum‐capable. Recently, Houshmand et al. (Opt. Quant. Electron. 2024, 56(5), 759) proposed a controlled semi‐quantum secret sharing protocol based on entangled states and claimed it was secure. However, the results of our analysis indicate that its security check is flawed and that the secret can be recovered if collaborates with any single other classical user. Accordingly, we propose an improved protocol that rectifies the flaws and resists not only the aforementioned attack, but also attacks initiated by up to dishonest users. In addition, our analysis of an existing denial‐of‐service attack shows that this attack cannot induce classical users to recover incorrect secrets. Consequently, no security check is necessary for this attack.