Polarization-Encoding-Based Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution with a Single Untrusted Source

Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution （MDI-QKD） can be immune to all detector side- channel attacks and guarantee the information-theoretical security even with uncharacterized single photon detectors. MDI-QKD has been demonstrated in both laboratories and field-tests by using attenuated lasers combined with the decoy-state technique. However, it is a critical assumption that the sources used by legitimate participants are trusted in MDI-QKD. Hence, it is possible that a potential security risk exists. Here we propose a new scheme of polarization-encoding-based MDI-QKD with a single untrusted source, by which the complexity of the synchronization system can be reduced and the success rate of the Bell-state measurement can be improved. Meanwhile, the decoy-state method is employed to avoid the security issues introduced by a non-ideal single photon source. We also derive a security analysis of the proposed system. In addition, it seems to be a promising candidate for the implementation for QKD network in the near future.

Measurement-device-independent quantum cryptographic conferencing with an untrusted source

Measurement-device-independent quantum cryptographic conferencing（MDI-QCC） protocol puts MDI quantum key distribution（MDI-QKD） forwards to multi-party applications, and suggests a significant framework for practical multi-party quantum communication. In order to mitigate the experimental complexity of MDI-QCC and remove the key assumption（the sources are trusted） in MDI-QCC, we extend the framework of MDI-QKD with an untrusted source to MDI-QCC and give the rigorous security analysis of MDI-QCC with an untrusted source. What is more, in the security analysis we clearly provide a rigorous analytical method for parameters＇ estimation, which with simple modifications can be applied to not only MDI-QKD with an untrusted source but also arbitrary multi-party communication protocol with an untrusted source. The simulation results show that at reasonable distances the asymptotic key rates for the two cases（with trusted and untrusted sources） almost overlap, which indicates the feasibility of our protocol.

A practical two-way system of quantum key distribution with untrusted source

The most severe problem of a two-way ＂plug-and-play＂ （p ＆： p） quantum key distribution system is that the source can be controlled by the eavesdropper. This kind of source is defined as an ＂untrusted source＂. This paper discusses the effects of the fluctuation of internal transmittance on the final key generation rate and the transmission distance. The security of the standard BB84 protocol, one-decoy state protocol, and weak＋vacuum decoy state protocol, with untrusted sources and the fluctuation of internal transmittance are studied. It is shown that the one-decoy state is sensitive to the statistical fluctuation but weak＋vacuum decoy state is only slightly affected by the fluctuation. It is also shown that both the maximum secure transmission distance and final key generation rate are reduced when Alice＇s laboratory transmittance fluctuation is considered.

Fluctuations of Internal Transmittance in Security of Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution with an Untrusted Source

Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution(MDI-QKD) is immune to detector side channel attacks, which is a crucial security loophole problem in traditional QKD. In order to relax a key assumption that the sources are trusted in MDI-QKD, an MDI-QKD protocol with an untrusted source has been proposed. For the security of MDI-QKD with an untrusted source, imperfections in the practical experiment should also be taken into account. In this paper, we analyze the effects of fluctuations of internal transmittance on the security of a decoy-state MDI-QKD protocol with an untrusted source. Our numerical results show that both the secret key rate and the maximum secure transmission distance decrease when taken fluctuations of internal transmittance into consideration. Especially, they are more sensitive when Charlie's mean photon number per pulse is smaller. Our results emphasize that the stability of correlative optical devices is important for practical implementations.

Key Rate of Practical Quantum Communication Network

The security properties of quantum key distribution(QKD) system are analyzed with the practical light source using decoy state method. The secure key rate with the change of transmission distance is computed under the condition of ideal system, infinite light source system, untrusted light source and passive system. The influence of the fluctuation of transmission rate on the security characteristics of the system is discussed. Our numerical simulation results offer a useful reference for the practical QKD experiment.