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:2306.11728

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

Rajni Bala, Sooryansh Asthana, V. Ravishankar

Published Jun 20, 2023• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

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.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.2306.11728

Related papers

Semi-quantum key distribution in networks with OAM states of light

Rajni Bala, Sooryansh Asthana, V. Ravishankar

We present two semi-quantum key distribution protocols-(i) to share a key among N participants, (ii) to share keys in distinct layers of a network simultaneously with separable orbital angular momentum states of light.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2022•1 citation

Indispensability of orbital angular momentum states in secure quantum communication tasks

Rajni Bala, Sooryansh Asthana

Quantum key distribution protocols have been designed for layered networks employing multidimensional entangled and separable orbital angular momentum states [Phys. Rev. A 97, 032312 (2018), Int. J. Theor. Phys. 62, 104 (2023)]. This paper seeks an answer to the overarching question -- in the context of secure quantum communication tasks, do orbital angular momentum states act merely as an alternative or do they act as an indispensable resource? We start by showing that the task of quantum key distribution in layered networks can also be accomplished with several copies of lower-dimensional states such as polarization qubits. For this reason, orbital angular momentum states do not offer any intrinsic advantage in layered quantum key distribution. The potential of OAM states unveils itself in the enhancement of key generation rates and integrated quantum communication tasks, which we present in this paper. These tasks can be implemented exclusively with high-dimensional OAM entangled states. In fact, we show that the employment of orbital angular momentum states eliminates the need for entangled state measurements, whose implementation is resource-intensive. We believe that this study opens up a possibility for designing several quantum information processing tasks in which multidimensional OAM states act as an indispensable resource.

arXiv:2310.00304•Sep 30, 2023•0 citations

Integrated semi‐quantum layered communication

Rajni Bala, Sooryansh Asthana, V. Ravishankar

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.

arXiv:2201.06540•IET Quantum Communication•Nov 7, 2023•2 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

A Multichannel Metasurface for Multiprotocol Quantum Key Distributions

Yue Jiang, Rui Zhong, Hulin Zhang +8 more

Multiprotocol quantum key distribution (mQKD) enables users to flexibly select protocols for secure quantum communication, though achieving mQKD introduces considerable system complexity and resource demands. Here, we report the first realization of mQKD using a metasurface, which generates multiple hybrid states of photonic spin angular momentum (SAM) and orbital angular momentum (OAM) and distributes them to different users. The incident polarization-entangled photon pair interacts with the metasurface, producing four SAM-OAM hybrid states with high fidelity through spin-orbit conversion. Among these hybrid states, two execute the BB84 protocol, while the other two perform the BBM92 protocol, all demonstrating high secret key rates and low quantum bit error rates. This approach provides a robust, compact solution for generating and distributing SAM-OAM hybrid states and stands out for the remarkable capability of a metasurface in secured information processing.

Nano Letters•Apr 24, 2025•8 citations

Multidimensional QKD Based on Combined Orbital and Spin Angular Momenta of Photon

Ivan B. Djordjević

It has been widely recognized that the underlying principles of quantum mechanics could be used to enable secure communications, without any additional conventional cryptographic systems, while utilizing the properties of the photons. Considerable research efforts have been invested to develop an efficient quantum key distribution (QKD) scheme over either free-space optical or fiber-optics channels. Most of these research efforts have been focused on a two-dimensional QKD, commonly realized by the use of the polarization state of photons. However, the data rates for the quantum key exchange in two-dimensional QKD are still low, while transmission distance is limited. On the other hand, it is well known that photons can carry both the spin angular momentum (SAM) and the orbital angular momentum (OAM), associated with the polarization and azimuthal phase of the complex electric field, respectively. Accordingly, we can define the combined-OAM-SAM state of a photon as |l, σ〉, where l and σ correspond to OAM and SAM indexes, respectively. Since the OAM eigenstates are orthogonal, an arbitrary number of bits per single photon can be transmitted, which could considerably increase the total secure bit rate. To improve secure data rates, we propose two types of protocols, namely, nonentangled-based (such as weak coherent state) and entanglement-assisted protocols, both employing the photon combined-OAM-SAM state, which can be used for secure key distribution over free-space optical and few-mode fiber channels. Two types of entanglement-assisted protocols are described, namely, two-basis and (D + 1)-basis protocols ( D is dimensionality of corresponding Hilbert space). We further describe how to implement the qudit gates required for implementation of these protocols. Finally, we discuss the security issues of the proposed protocols and determine both infinite and finite secret key fraction rates.

IEEE photonics journal•Dec 1, 2013•40 citations
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 protocols have been designed for layered networks employing multidimensional entangled and separable orbital angular momentum states [Phys. Rev. A 97, 032312 (2018), Int. J. Theor. Phys. 62, 104 (2023)]. This paper seeks an answer to the overarching question -- in the context of secure quantum communication tasks, do orbital angular momentum states act merely as an alternative or do they act as an indispensable resource? We start by showing that the task of quantum key distribution in layered networks can also be accomplished with several copies of lower-dimensional states such as polarization qubits. For this reason, orbital angular momentum states do not offer any intrinsic advantage in layered quantum key distribution. The potential of OAM states unveils itself in the enhancement of key generation rates and integrated quantum communication tasks, which we present in this paper. These tasks can be implemented exclusively with high-dimensional OAM entangled states. In fact, we show that the employment of orbital angular momentum states eliminates the need for entangled state measurements, whose implementation is resource-intensive. We believe that this study opens up a possibility for designing several quantum information processing tasks in which multidimensional OAM states act as an indispensable resource.
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.
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
Multiprotocol quantum key distribution (mQKD) enables users to flexibly select protocols for secure quantum communication, though achieving mQKD introduces considerable system complexity and resource demands. Here, we report the first realization of mQKD using a metasurface, which generates multiple hybrid states of photonic spin angular momentum (SAM) and orbital angular momentum (OAM) and distributes them to different users. The incident polarization-entangled photon pair interacts with the metasurface, producing four SAM-OAM hybrid states with high fidelity through spin-orbit conversion. Among these hybrid states, two execute the BB84 protocol, while the other two perform the BBM92 protocol, all demonstrating high secret key rates and low quantum bit error rates. This approach provides a robust, compact solution for generating and distributing SAM-OAM hybrid states and stands out for the remarkable capability of a metasurface in secured information processing.
It has been widely recognized that the underlying principles of quantum mechanics could be used to enable secure communications, without any additional conventional cryptographic systems, while utilizing the properties of the photons. Considerable research efforts have been invested to develop an efficient quantum key distribution (QKD) scheme over either free-space optical or fiber-optics channels. Most of these research efforts have been focused on a two-dimensional QKD, commonly realized by the use of the polarization state of photons. However, the data rates for the quantum key exchange in two-dimensional QKD are still low, while transmission distance is limited. On the other hand, it is well known that photons can carry both the spin angular momentum (SAM) and the orbital angular momentum (OAM), associated with the polarization and azimuthal phase of the complex electric field, respectively. Accordingly, we can define the combined-OAM-SAM state of a photon as |l, σ〉, where l and σ correspond to OAM and SAM indexes, respectively. Since the OAM eigenstates are orthogonal, an arbitrary number of bits per single photon can be transmitted, which could considerably increase the total secure bit rate. To improve secure data rates, we propose two types of protocols, namely, nonentangled-based (such as weak coherent state) and entanglement-assisted protocols, both employing the photon combined-OAM-SAM state, which can be used for secure key distribution over free-space optical and few-mode fiber channels. Two types of entanglement-assisted protocols are described, namely, two-basis and (D + 1)-basis protocols ( D is dimensionality of corresponding Hilbert space). We further describe how to implement the qudit gates required for implementation of these protocols. Finally, we discuss the security issues of the proposed protocols and determine both infinite and finite secret key fraction rates.