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Research in Optical Sciences

Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution

Antonio Acín

Published Jan 1, 2014• 1 citation
Publisher

Abstract

Device-independent quantum key distribution supersedes traditional quantum key distribution, as its security does not rely on any modeling of the devices. We discuss the theoretical and experimental challenges to be solved in this approach.
DOI
10.1364/qim.2014.qw3a.1

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Abstract Device-independent quantum key distribution (DI-QKD) provides the gold standard for secure key exchange. Not only does it allow for information-theoretic security based on quantum mechanics, but it also relaxes the need to physically model the devices, thereby fundamentally ruling out many quantum hacking threats to which non-DI QKD systems are vulnerable. In practice though, DI-QKD is very challenging. It relies on the loophole-free violation of a Bell inequality, a task that requires high quality entanglement to be distributed between distant parties and close to perfect quantum measurements, which is hardly achievable with current technology. Notwithstanding, recent theoretical and experimental efforts have led to proof-of-principle DI-QKD implementations. In this article, we review the state-of-the-art of DI-QKD by highlighting its main theoretical and experimental achievements, discussing recent proof-of-principle demonstrations, and emphasizing the existing challenges in the field.
Device- independent quantum key distribution is the art of establishing secure keys over untrusted channels even when using potentially untrusted devices [1]. It allows the users to check the secure functioning of the underlying quantum devices by a statistical test using a Bell inequality, thereby also ensuring security against implementation flaws-a major vulnerability to quantum key distribution protocols realized so far. An experimental realisation, however, is challenging because it demands high-quality entanglement shared between two remote locations that can be detected with high efficiency.
Quantum cryptography promises levels of security that are impossible to replicate in a classical world. Can this security be guaranteed even when the quantum devices on which the protocol relies are untrusted? This central question dates back to the early 1990s when the challenge of achieving device-independent quantum key distribution was first formulated. We answer this challenge by rigorously proving the device-independent security of a slight variant of Ekert's original entanglement-based protocol against the most general (coherent) attacks. The resulting protocol is robust: While assuming only that the devices can be modeled by the laws of quantum mechanics and are spatially isolated from each other and from any adversary's laboratory, it achieves a linear key rate and tolerates a constant noise rate in the devices. In particular, the devices may have quantum memory and share arbitrary quantum correlations with the eavesdropper. The proof of security is based on a new quantitative understanding of the monogamous nature of quantum correlations in the context of a multiparty protocol.
Quantum key distribution provides information-theoretically-secure communication. In practice, device imperfections may jeopardise the system security. Device-independent quantum key distribution solves this problem by providing secure keys even when the quantum devices are untrusted and uncharacterized. Following a recent security proof of the device-independent quantum key distribution, we improve the key rate by tightening the parameter choice in the security proof. In practice where the system is lossy, we further improve the key rate by taking into account the loss position information. From our numerical simulation, our method can outperform existing results. Meanwhile, we outline clear experimental requirements for implementing device-independent quantum key distribution. The maximal tolerable error rate is 1.6%, the minimal required transmittance is 97.3%, and the minimal required visibility is 96.896.8%96.8.
Device-independent quantum key distribution (DI-QKD) is often seen as the ultimate key exchange protocol in terms of security, as it can be performed securely with uncharacterised black-box devices. The advent of DI-QKD closes several loopholes and side-channels that plague current QKD systems. While implementing DI-QKD protocols is technically challenging, there have been recent proof-of-principle demonstrations, resulting from the progress made in both theory and experiments. In this review, we will provide an introduction to DI-QKD, an overview of the related experiments performed, and the theory and techniques required to analyse its security. We conclude with an outlook on future DI-QKD research.