Security of the decoy state method for quantum key distribution

A.S. Trushechkin^a, b, E.O. Kiktenko^{c, a, b, d}, D.A. Kronberg^c, a, d, A.K. Fedorov^c, d
^aV.A. Steklov Mathematical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Gubkina 8, Moscow, 119991, Russian Federation
^bNational University of Science and Technology "MISIS", Leninskii prosp. 4, Moscow, 119049, Russian Federation
^cMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology (National Research University), Institutskii per. 9, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russian Federation
^dInternational Center for Quantum Optics and Quantum Technologies (the Russian Quantum Center), Skolkovo Innovation Center, Bolshoi Boulevard, Building 30, Block 1, 3rd floor, sectors G3, G7, Moscow, Moscow Region, 121205, Russian Federation

Quantum cryptography or, more precisely, quantum key distribution (QKD), is one of the advanced areas in the field of quantum technologies. The confidentiality of keys distributed with the use of QKD protocols is guaranteed by the fundamental laws of quantum mechanics. This paper is devoted to the decoy state method, a countermeasure against vulnerabilities caused by the use of coherent states of light for QKD protocols whose security is proved under the assumption of single-photon states. We give a formal security proof of the decoy state method against all possible attacks. We compare two widely known attacks on multiphoton pulses: photon-number splitting and beam splitting. Finally, we discuss the equivalence of polarization and phase coding.

Keywords: quantum cryptography, quantum key distribution, BB84, decoy states
PACS: 03.67.−a, 03.67.Dd, 03.67.Hk (all)
DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2020.11.038882
URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2021/1/f/
Web of Science

000632470400005
Scopus

2-s2.0-85104180459
ADS NASA

2021PhyU...64...88T
Citation: Trushechkin A S, Kiktenko E O, Kronberg D A, Fedorov A K "Security of the decoy state method for quantum key distribution" Phys. Usp. 64 88–102 (2021)

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Received: 23rd, March 2020, revised: 19th, October 2020, accepted: 20th, November 2020

Оригинал: Трушечкин А С, Киктенко Е О, Кронберг Д А, Федоров А К «Стойкость метода обманных состояний в квантовой криптографии» УФН 191 93–109 (2021); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2020.11.038882