We investigate how a classical private key can be used by two players, connected by an insecure one-way quantum channel, to perform private communication of quantum information. In particular we show that in order to transmit n qubits privately, 2n bits of shared private key are necessary and sufficient. This result may be viewed as the quantum analogue of the classical one-time pad encryption scheme. From the point of view of the eavesdropper, this encryption process can be seen as a randomization of the original state. We thus also obtain strict bounds on the amount of entropy necessary for randomizing n qubits.We investigate how a classical private key can be used by two players, connected by an insecure one-way quantum channel, to perform private communication of quantum information. In particular we show that in order to transmit n qubits privately, 2n bits of shared private key are necessary and sufficient. This result may be viewed as the quantum analogue of the classical one-time pad encryption scheme. From the point of view of the eavesdropper, this encryption process can be seen as a randomization of the original state. We thus also obtain strict bounds on the amount of entropy necessary for randomizing n qubits.

arXiv:quant-ph/0003101Mar 22, 200026 citations

Limits and restrictions of private quantum channel

Jan Bouda, Mário Ziman

We study private quantum channels on a single qubit, which encrypt given set of plaintext states $P$ . Specifically, we determine all achievable states $ρ^{(0)}$ (average output of encryption) and for each particular set $P$ we determine the entropy of the key necessary and sufficient to encrypt this set. It turns out that single bit of key is sufficient when the set $P$ is two dimensional. However, the necessary and sufficient entropy of the key in case of three dimensional $P$ varies continuously between 1 and 2 bits depending on the state $ρ^{(0)}$ . Finally, we derive private quantum channels achieving these bounds. We show that the impossibility of universal NOT operation on qubit can be derived from the fact that one bit of key is not sufficient to encrypt qubit.We study private quantum channels on a single qubit, which encrypt given set of plaintext states $P$. Specifically, we determine all achievable states $ρ^{(0)}$ (average output of encryption) and for each particular set $P$ we determine the entropy of the key necessary and sufficient to encrypt this set. It turns out that single bit of key is sufficient when the set $P$ is two dimensional. However, the necessary and sufficient entropy of the key in case of three dimensional $P$ varies continuously between 1 and 2 bits depending on the state $ρ^{(0)}$. Finally, we derive private quantum channels achieving these bounds. We show that the impossibility of universal NOT operation on qubit can be derived from the fact that one bit of key is not sufficient to encrypt qubit.

arXiv:quant-ph/0506107Jun 14, 20051 citation

Quantum One-Time Pad in the Presence of an Eavesdropper

Fernando G. S. L. Brandão, Jonathan Oppenheim

A classical one-time pad allows two parties to send private messages over a public classical channel-an eavesdropper who intercepts the communication learns nothing about the message. A quantum one-time pad is a shared quantum state which allows two parties to send private messages or private quantum states over a public quantum channel. If the eavesdropper intercepts the quantum communication she learns nothing about the message. In the classical case, a one-time pad can be created using shared and partially private correlations. Here we consider the quantum case in the presence of an eavesdropper, and find the single-letter formula for the rate at which the two parties can send messages using a general quantum state as a quantum one-time pad. Surprisingly, the formula coincides with the distillable entanglement assisted by a symmetric channel, an important quantity in quantum information theory, but which lacked a clear operational meaning.A classical one-time pad allows two parties to send private messages over a public classical channel-an eavesdropper who intercepts the communication learns nothing about the message. A quantum one-time pad is a shared quantum state which allows two parties to send private messages or private quantum states over a public quantum channel. If the eavesdropper intercepts the quantum communication she learns nothing about the message. In the classical case, a one-time pad can be created using shared and partially private correlations. Here we consider the quantum case in the presence of an eavesdropper, and find the single-letter formula for the rate at which the two parties can send messages using a general quantum state as a quantum one-time pad. Surprisingly, the formula coincides with the distillable entanglement assisted by a symmetric channel, an important quantity in quantum information theory, but which lacked a clear operational meaning.

arXiv:1004.3328Physical Review LettersJan 27, 201229 citations

Protocol and applications for sharing quantum private keys

Hanwei Wang, Tien-Sheng Lin, I-Ming Tsai +1 more

Transmitting message in secret is getting more and more important nowadays. In the classical world, the message we sent run the risk of being intercepted by an attacker. As a result, we have to encrypt the message, or send it using a private channel. However, if we transmit messages via such methods, there are still some ways to decipher the information. For example, a powerful computer can be used to decrypt the message or try to steal the message from the private channel. In quantum cryptography, entanglement can be used as a secure channel to transmit information with absolute secrecy. From this perspective, quantum entanglement pairs are equivalent to a quantum private key. However, like the classical key distribution problem, the entanglement has to be shared before it can be used. In this paper, we propose a protocol that can be used to distribute such entanglement pairs securely, so they can be subsequently used to transmit messages with perfect security. The security of this protocol is based on the laws of nature, instead of unproven mathematical hard problems.Transmitting message in secret is getting more and more important nowadays. In the classical world, the message we sent run the risk of being intercepted by an attacker. As a result, we have to encrypt the message, or send it using a private channel. However, if we transmit messages via such methods, there are still some ways to decipher the information. For example, a powerful computer can be used to decrypt the message or try to steal the message from the private channel. In quantum cryptography, entanglement can be used as a secure channel to transmit information with absolute secrecy. From this perspective, quantum entanglement pairs are equivalent to a quantum private key. However, like the classical key distribution problem, the entanglement has to be shared before it can be used. In this paper, we propose a protocol that can be used to distribute such entanglement pairs securely, so they can be subsequently used to transmit messages with perfect security. The security of this protocol is based on the laws of nature, instead of unproven mathematical hard problems.

IEEE International Carnahan Conference on Security Technology (ICCST)Jan 1, 20057 citations

Decoherence-full subsystems and the cryptographic power of a private shared reference frame

Stephen D. Bartlett, Terry Rudolph, Robert W. Spekkens

We show that private shared reference frames can be used to perform private quantum and private classical communication over a public quantum channel. Such frames constitute a type of private shared correlation, distinct from private classical keys or shared entanglement, useful for cryptography. We present optimally efficient schemes for private quantum and classical communication given a finite number of qubits transmitted over an insecure channel and given a private shared Cartesian frame and∕or a private shared reference ordering of the qubits. We show that in this context, it is useful to introduce the concept of a decoherence-full subsystem, wherein every state is mapped to the completely mixed state under the action of the decoherence.We show that private shared reference frames can be used to perform private quantum and private classical communication over a public quantum channel. Such frames constitute a type of private shared correlation, distinct from private classical keys or shared entanglement, useful for cryptography. We present optimally efficient schemes for private quantum and classical communication given a finite number of qubits transmitted over an insecure channel and given a private shared Cartesian frame and∕or a private shared reference ordering of the qubits. We show that in this context, it is useful to introduce the concept of a decoherence-full subsystem, wherein every state is mapped to the completely mixed state under the action of the decoherence.

arXiv:quant-ph/0403161Physical Review ASep 10, 200461 citations

Quantum vernam cipher

Debbie Leung

We discuss aspects of secret quantum communication by proposing and analyzing a quantum analog of the Vernam cipher (one-time-pad). The quantum Vernam cipher uses entanglement as the key to encrypt quantum information sent through an insecure quantum channel. First, in sharp contrast with the classical Vernam cipher, the quantum key can be recycled securely. We show that key recycling is intrinsic to the quantum cipher-text, rather than using entanglement as the key. Second, the scheme detects and corrects for arbitrary transmission errors, and it does so using only local operations and classical communication (LOCC) between the sender and the receiver. Quantum secret sharing schemes with similar properties are characterized. We also discuss two general issues, the relation between secret communication and secret sharing, and the classification of secure communication protocols.We discuss aspects of secret quantum communication by proposing and analyzing a quantum analog of the Vernam cipher (one-time-pad). The quantum Vernam cipher uses entanglement as the key to encrypt quantum information sent through an insecure quantum channel. First, in sharp contrast with the classical Vernam cipher, the quantum key can be recycled securely. We show that key recycling is intrinsic to the quantum cipher-text, rather than using entanglement as the key. Second, the scheme detects and corrects for arbitrary transmission errors, and it does so using only local operations and classical communication (LOCC) between the sender and the receiver. Quantum secret sharing schemes with similar properties are characterized. We also discuss two general issues, the relation between secret communication and secret sharing, and the classification of secure communication protocols.

Quantum Information and ComputationDec 1, 200268 citations

We study private quantum channels on a single qubit, which encrypt given set of plaintext states

P

. Specifically, we determine all achievable states

ρ^{(0)}

(average output of encryption) and for each particular set

P

we determine the entropy of the key necessary and sufficient to encrypt this set. It turns out that single bit of key is sufficient when the set

P

is two dimensional. However, the necessary and sufficient entropy of the key in case of three dimensional

P

varies continuously between 1 and 2 bits depending on the state

ρ^{(0)}

. Finally, we derive private quantum channels achieving these bounds. We show that the impossibility of universal NOT operation on qubit can be derived from the fact that one bit of key is not sufficient to encrypt qubit.