High-rate measurement-device independent quantum cryptography

TY - JOUR

T1 - High-rate measurement-device independent quantum cryptography

AU - Pirandola, Stefano

AU - Ottaviani, Carlo

AU - Spedalieri, Gae

AU - Weedbrook, Christian

AU - Braunstein, Samuel Leon

AU - Lloyd, Seth

AU - Gehring, T

AU - Jacobsen, C. S.

AU - Andersen, U. L.

N1 - Main text plus appendix. 13 pages. 9 figures

PY - 2015/6

Y1 - 2015/6

N2 - Quantum cryptography achieves a formidable task—the remote distribution of secret keys by exploiting the fundamental laws of physics. Quantum cryptography is now headed towards solving the practical problem of constructing scalable and secure quantum networks. A significant step in this direction has been the introduction of measurement-device independence, where the secret key between two parties is established by the measurement of an untrusted relay. Unfortunately, although qubit-implemented protocols can reach long distances, their key rates are typically very low, unsuitable for the demands of a metropolitan network. Here we show, theoretically and experimentally, that a solution can come from the use of continuous-variable systems. We design a coherent-state network protocol able to achieve remarkably high key rates at metropolitan distances, in fact three orders of magnitude higher than those currently achieved. Our protocol could be employed to build high-rate quantum networks where devices securely connect to nearby access points or proxy servers.

AB - Quantum cryptography achieves a formidable task—the remote distribution of secret keys by exploiting the fundamental laws of physics. Quantum cryptography is now headed towards solving the practical problem of constructing scalable and secure quantum networks. A significant step in this direction has been the introduction of measurement-device independence, where the secret key between two parties is established by the measurement of an untrusted relay. Unfortunately, although qubit-implemented protocols can reach long distances, their key rates are typically very low, unsuitable for the demands of a metropolitan network. Here we show, theoretically and experimentally, that a solution can come from the use of continuous-variable systems. We design a coherent-state network protocol able to achieve remarkably high key rates at metropolitan distances, in fact three orders of magnitude higher than those currently achieved. Our protocol could be employed to build high-rate quantum networks where devices securely connect to nearby access points or proxy servers.

KW - quant-ph

KW - math-ph

KW - math.MP

KW - physics.data-an

KW - physics.optics

U2 - 10.1038/nphoton.2015.83

DO - 10.1038/nphoton.2015.83

M3 - Article

SN - 1749-4885

VL - 9

SP - 397

EP - 402

JO - Nature photonics

JF - Nature photonics

IS - 6

ER -