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Quantum Information and Computation

An efficient semi-quantum key distribution protocol based on EPR and single-particle hybridization

Yuan Tian, Jian Li, Kaiguo Yuan, Chao-Yang Li, Heng-Ji Li, Xiu‐Bo Chen

Published Apr 27, 2021• 7 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Quantum key distribution cannot satisfy some users without quantum capability, so semi-quantum key distribution emerges as the times required. Semi-quantum key distribution protocol is described as Alice has quantum ability to prepare and measure qubits with an arbitrary basis, while Bob only measures qubits with the computational basis or reflects qubits to Alice. However, most existing semi-quantum key distribution protocols have been performed with low eavesdropping detection probability. In this paper, we present an innovative semi-quantum key distribution protocol with high efficiency based on EPR and single-particle hybridization, in which the specific contents of {\scriptsize CTRL} or {\scriptsize SIFT} operations have been newly defined. Then, the security analysis indicates the proposed protocol is asymptotically secure with more high eavesdropping detection probability against individual eavesdropping attacks. Moreover, the efficiency analysis shows that the presented protocol is more efficient than similar literatures.

DOI
10.26421/qic21.7-8-3

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Quantum key distribution cannot satisfy some users without quantum capability, so semi-quantum key distribution emerges as the times required. Semi-quantum key distribution protocol is described as Alice has quantum ability to prepare and measure qubits with an arbitrary basis, while Bob only measures qubits with the computational basis or reflects qubits to Alice. However, most existing semi-quantum key distribution protocols have been performed with low eavesdropping detection probability. In this paper, we present an innovative semi-quantum key distribution protocol with high efficiency based on EPR and single-particle hybridization, in which the specific contents of {\scriptsize CTRL} or {\scriptsize SIFT} operations have been newly defined. Then, the security analysis indicates the proposed protocol is asymptotically secure with more high eavesdropping detection probability against individual eavesdropping attacks. Moreover, the efficiency analysis shows that the presented protocol is more efficient than similar literatures.
A quantum key distribution protocol with traditional Bob has been proposed recently by Boyer et al. using single-particle state.In this paper, a semi-quantum key distribution protocol is described, in which Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) pairs of particles are utilized to generate a secret key in remote places.This extends the quantum key distribution protocol with traditional Bob where the single-qubit channel is replaced by the entangled EPR-pair channel.And quantum Alice is able to do any quantum operations, preparing quantum states and performing quantum measurement, but traditional Bob is not able to prepare and measure a particle in the computational basis, reflect the particles.Furthermore, entanglement states are used in our protocol.The analysis shows that our protocol is secure, which can avoid the beam splitter attack automatically, and the proposed protocol is more efficient than Boyer's scheme.
Recently, Boyer et al. presented a novel semiquantum key distribution protocol [ Phys. Rev. Lett. 99 (2007) 140501 ] by using four quantum states, each of which is randomly prepared in the Z or X basis. Here we present a semi-quantum key distribution protocol by using maximally entangled states in which quantum Alice shares a secret key with classical Bob. Quantum Alice has the ability to prepare Bell states and perform Bell basis or computational basis measurement. Classical Bob is restricted to measuring, preparing a particle in the computational basis, reflecting or reordering the particles. The qubit efficiency of the protocol improves to 50% and the protocol can be modified to a measure-resend protocol or a protocol without quantum memory. We also show that the protocol is secure against eavesdropping.
The idea of semi-quantum communication protocols provides a theoretical solution for the high costs of quantum resources. In this study, we propose an efficient semi-quantum key distribution protocol that allows Alice and quantum-capable restricted Bob to establish a secure key. Then, we demonstrate that the protocol is information-theoretic secure in the asymptotic scenario. As long as the channel noise is less than the noise tolerance of the protocol, Alice and Bob can withdraw a secure key. The proposed protocol has advantages over previous protocols regarding qubit efficiency and communication cost. Besides, our efficiency analysis is more fair and practical because noise factors are taken into account. Based on these features, it may have potential applications in future quantum communications.
Abstract In this paper, we propose an efficient lightweight mediated semi-quantum key distribution (LM-SQKD) protocol, which enables two lightweight participants to securely establish a shared key with the help of an untrusted third party (TP). Compared with existing M-SQKD protocols, our protocol significantly reduces the overall quantum burden and improves the qubit efficiency, where TP only needs to prepare and measure qubits in the X basis and two lightweight participants are just required to execute three unitary operations and reflect qubits. Furthermore, the detailed security analysis verifies that the proposed protocol can against three well-known attacks.
Recently, quantum key distribution (QKD) with classical Bob has been suggested and proven completely robust by Boyer et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett.99 (2007) 140501] in which quantum Alice has a fully-fledged quantum power, while classical Bob is restricted to preparing and measuring a particle in the computational basis, reflecting or reordering the particles. In this paper, we describe two related but simpler semi-quantum key distribution protocol that exempts classical Bob from measurement (hereafter called limited classical Bob for convenience) and, prove them completely robust. As limited classical Bob can deterministically prepare the qubits, we exploit this feature to construct a semi-quantum secure direct communication protocol, which is the direct communication of secret messages without first producing a shared secret key.
Abstract Semi-quantum protocols serve as a bridge between quantum users and "classical" users with limited quantum capabilities, providing support for application scenarios that cannot afford the excessively high cost of quantum resources. In this paper, we present a semi-quantum key distribution (SQKD) protocol based on Bell states and single particles, which is designed for key distribution between different types of users. The protocol enables simultaneous key distribution between quantum and classical users, as well as key establishment between two classical users. The security analysis demonstrates that the protocol can reach the same level of security as the full quantum protocol. Furthermore, we extrapolate the proposed protocol to other semi-quantum protocols, such as semi-quantum key agreement and semi-quantum private comparison protocols. Compared with previous similar ones, our SQKD protocol and its extended versions can fulfill the requirements of their respective counterparts individually. Therefore, our SQKD protocol has the potential for broader applications in practical scenarios.