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International Journal of Theoretical Physics

The Improvement of Performance for Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution with Imperfect Gaussian Modulation

Yi Zheng, Peng Huang, Tao Wang, Jinye Peng, Zhengwen Cao, Guihua Zeng

Published Aug 5, 2019• 5 citations
Publisher
DOI
10.1007/s10773-019-04215-3

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In a practical quantum communication system, the security of signal source of continuous-variable quantum key distribution may be jeopardized due to device flaws and hidden attacks. In this paper, an improved scheme for Gaussian-modulated continuous-variable quantum key distribution based on an untrusted entangled source is proposed. In particular, the entanglement source is placed in an untrusted quantum channel to simulate that it is controlled by an eavesdropper, thereby verifying the security of Gaussian-modulated continuous-variable quantum key distribution in a complex environment. This work in detail analyzes the influence of untrusted entanglement source on practical Gaussian-modulated continuous-variable quantum key distribution system, and the numerical simulation shows that the performance of Gaussian-modulated continuous-variable quantum key distribution will dramatically decrease once the entanglement source has moved out of the sender, and it will slightly rise as the untrusted entanglement source slowly moves away from the sender. This paper further introduces two kinds of optical amplifiers, which are phase-sensitive amplifier and phase-insensitive amplifier, to compensate for the imperfection of the coherent detector. These amplifiers are beneficial to enhancing the quantum efficiency of the receiver’s detector. Specifically, the security key rate of Gaussian-modulated continuous-variable quantum key distribution with homodyne detection can be well improved by phase-sensitive amplifier, and the security key rate of Gaussian-modulated continuous-variable quantum key distribution with heterodyne detection can be well improved by phase-insensitive amplifier. To summary, this paper proposes a scheme for Gaussian-modulated continuous-variable quantum key distribution with untrusted entanglement source, experimental results show that the proposed scheme can generate secure quantum keys even if the Gaussian entanglement source is untrusted, and the two optical amplifiers can effectively improve the quantum efficiency of the detector at the receiver. This work aims to promote the practical process of the Gaussian-modulated continuous-variable quantum key distribution system and provide theoretical guidance for the practical implementation and application of the Gaussian-modulated continuous-variable quantum key distribution system.
Abstract Ideal randomness is one of most important conditions for the implementation of continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD). However, imperfect randomness may exist in a practical CVQKD system due to imperfections in Gaussian modulation or in random-number generators. Here we propose a weak randomness attack model in practical CVQKD systems to investigate the practical performance of the systems with imperfect randomness, where the prepared coherent states based on nonrandom state modulation are assumed to be known by Eve. Then, we perform parameter estimation and calculate the secret key rate of the system based on the proposed attack model. The simulation results demonstrate that a small imperfect randomness can dramatically reduce the secret key rate of the system, which may seriously limit the practical performance of the system. Therefore, true random numbers and perfect Gaussian modulation are key for practical CVQKD systems.
Quantum catalysis is a feasible approach to increase the performance of continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD), involving the special zero-photon catalysis (ZPC) operation. However, in the practical point of view, the improvement effect of this operation will be limited by the imperfection of the photon detector. In this paper, we show that the ZPC operation at the sender can be simulated by a post-selection method without implementing it in practical devices. While performing this virtual version of ZPC in CVQKD, we can not only reach the ideal case of its practical implementation with minimal hardware requirement, but also keep the benefit of Gaussian security proofs. Based on Gaussian modulated coherent state protocols with achievable parameters, we enhance the security of the proposed scheme from the asymptotical case to the finite-size scenario and composable framework. Simulation results show that similar to the asymptotical case, both the maximal transmission distance and the tolerable excess noise of virtual ZPC-involved CVQKD outperform the original scheme and the scheme using virtual photon subtraction while considering finite-size effect and composable security. In addition, the virtual ZPC-involved CVQKD can tolerate a higher imperfection of the detector, enabling its practical implementation of the CVQKD system with state-of-the-art technology.