Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution Over a 404 km Optical Fiber.
TL;DR: This record-breaking implementation of the MDIQKD method provides a new distance record and achieves a distance that the traditional Bennett-Brassard 1984 QKD would not be able to achieve with the same detection devices even with ideal single-photon sources.
Abstract: A protocol for secure quantum communications has been demonstrated over a record-breaking distance of 404 km.
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TL;DR: This work reports the development and launch of a low-Earth-orbit satellite for implementing decoy-state QKD—a form ofQKD that uses weak coherent pulses at high channel loss and is secure because photon-number-splitting eavesdropping can be detected.
Abstract: Quantum key distribution (QKD) uses individual light quanta in quantum superposition states to guarantee unconditional communication security between distant parties. However, the distance over which QKD is achievable has been limited to a few hundred kilometres, owing to the channel loss that occurs when using optical fibres or terrestrial free space that exponentially reduces the photon transmission rate. Satellite-based QKD has the potential to help to establish a global-scale quantum network, owing to the negligible photon loss and decoherence experienced in empty space. Here we report the development and launch of a low-Earth-orbit satellite for implementing decoy-state QKD-a form of QKD that uses weak coherent pulses at high channel loss and is secure because photon-number-splitting eavesdropping can be detected. We achieve a kilohertz key rate from the satellite to the ground over a distance of up to 1,200 kilometres. This key rate is around 20 orders of magnitudes greater than that expected using an optical fibre of the same length. The establishment of a reliable and efficient space-to-ground link for quantum-state transmission paves the way to global-scale quantum networks.
1,216 citations
TL;DR: Satellite-based distribution of entangled photon pairs to two locations separated by 1203 kilometers on Earth, through two satellite-to-ground downlinks is demonstrated, with a survival of two-photon entanglement and a violation of Bell inequality.
Abstract: Long-distance entanglement distribution is essential for both foundational tests of quantum physics and scalable quantum networks. Owing to channel loss, however, the previously achieved distance was limited to ~100 kilometers. Here we demonstrate satellite-based distribution of entangled photon pairs to two locations separated by 1203 kilometers on Earth, through two satellite-to-ground downlinks with a summed length varying from 1600 to 2400 kilometers. We observed a survival of two-photon entanglement and a violation of Bell inequality by 2.37 ± 0.09 under strict Einstein locality conditions. The obtained effective link efficiency is orders of magnitude higher than that of the direct bidirectional transmission of the two photons through telecommunication fibers.
917 citations
TL;DR: This work introduces an alternative scheme for QKD whereby pairs of phase-randomized optical fields are first generated at two distant locations and then combined at a central measuring station, enabling a form of quantum key distribution that can exceed the secret-key capacity without using quantum repeaters and that has security independent of the measuring devices.
Abstract: Quantum key distribution (QKD)1,2 allows two distant parties to share encryption keys with security based on physical laws. Experimentally, QKD has been implemented via optical means, achieving key rates of 1.26 megabits per second over 50 kilometres of standard optical fibre3 and of 1.16 bits per hour over 404 kilometres of ultralow-loss fibre in a measurement-device-independent configuration4. Increasing the bit rate and range of QKD is a formidable, but important, challenge. A related target, which is currently considered to be unfeasible without quantum repeaters5–7, is overcoming the fundamental rate–distance limit of QKD8. This limit defines the maximum possible secret key rate that two parties can distil at a given distance using QKD and is quantified by the secret-key capacity of the quantum channel9 that connects the parties. Here we introduce an alternative scheme for QKD whereby pairs of phase-randomized optical fields are first generated at two distant locations and then combined at a central measuring station. Fields imparted with the same random phase are ‘twins’ and can be used to distil a quantum key. The key rate of this twin-field QKD exhibits the same dependence on distance as does a quantum repeater, scaling with the square-root of the channel transmittance, irrespective of who (malicious or otherwise) is in control of the measuring station. However, unlike schemes that involve quantum repeaters, ours is feasible with current technology and presents manageable levels of noise even on 550 kilometres of standard optical fibre. This scheme is a promising step towards overcoming the rate–distance limit of QKD and greatly extending the range of secure quantum communications. Twin optical fields enable a form of quantum key distribution that can exceed the secret-key capacity without using quantum repeaters and that has security independent of the measuring devices.
787 citations
Cites background from "Measurement-Device-Independent Quan..."
...16 bit/hour over 404 km of ultralowloss fibre in a measurement-device-independent configuration.(4) Increasing the bit rate and range of QKD is a formidable, but important, challenge....
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TL;DR: This review begins by reviewing protocols of quantum key distribution based on discrete variable systems, and considers aspects of device independence, satellite challenges, and high rate protocols based on continuous variable systems.
Abstract: Quantum cryptography is arguably the fastest growing area in quantum
information science. Novel theoretical protocols are designed on a regular
basis, security proofs are constantly improving, and experiments are
gradually moving from proof-of-principle lab demonstrations to in-field
implementations and technological prototypes. In this paper, we provide
both a general introduction and a state-of-the-art description of the
recent advances in the field, both theoretical and experimental. We start
by reviewing protocols of quantum key distribution based on discrete
variable systems. Next we consider aspects of device independence,
satellite challenges, and protocols based on continuous-variable systems.
We will then discuss the ultimate limits of point-to-point private
communications and how quantum repeaters and networks may overcome these
restrictions. Finally, we will discuss some aspects of quantum
cryptography beyond standard quantum key distribution, including quantum
random number generators and quantum digital signatures.
769 citations
Cites methods from "Measurement-Device-Independent Quan..."
...The distance of MDI-QKD was then boosted to 200 km [237] and 404 km [238] using ultra-low loss fiber with an attenuation of 0....
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TL;DR: This review gives both sides of the story, with the current best theory of quantum security, and an extensive survey of what makes quantum cryptosystem safe in practice.
Abstract: Some years ago quantum hacking became popular: devices implementing the unbreakable quantum cryptography were shown to have imperfections which could be exploited by attackers. Security has been thoroughly enhanced, as a consequence of both theoretical and experimental advances. This review gives both sides of the story, with the current best theory of quantum security, and an extensive survey of what makes quantum cryptosystem safe in practice.
761 citations
References
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TL;DR: A protocol for coin-tossing by exchange of quantum messages is presented, which is secure against traditional kinds of cheating, even by an opponent with unlimited computing power, but ironically can be subverted by use of a still subtler quantum phenomenon, the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox.
5,126 citations
TL;DR: Essential theoretical tools that have been developed to assess the security of the main experimental platforms are presented (discrete- variable, continuous-variable, and distributed-phase-reference protocols).
Abstract: Quantum key distribution (QKD) is the first quantum information task to reach the level of mature technology, already fit for commercialization. It aims at the creation of a secret key between authorized partners connected by a quantum channel and a classical authenticated channel. The security of the key can in principle be guaranteed without putting any restriction on an eavesdropper's power. This article provides a concise up-to-date review of QKD, biased toward the practical side. Essential theoretical tools that have been developed to assess the security of the main experimental platforms are presented (discrete-variable, continuous-variable, and distributed-phase-reference protocols).
2,926 citations
TL;DR: The results show that long-distance quantum cryptography over say 200 km will remain secure even with seriously flawed detectors, and the key generation rate is many orders of magnitude higher than that based on full device independent QKD.
Abstract: How to remove detector side channel attacks has been a notoriously hard problem in quantum cryptography. Here, we propose a simple solution to this problem--measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (QKD). It not only removes all detector side channels, but also doubles the secure distance with conventional lasers. Our proposal can be implemented with standard optical components with low detection efficiency and highly lossy channels. In contrast to the previous solution of full device independent QKD, the realization of our idea does not require detectors of near unity detection efficiency in combination with a qubit amplifier (based on teleportation) or a quantum nondemolition measurement of the number of photons in a pulse. Furthermore, its key generation rate is many orders of magnitude higher than that based on full device independent QKD. The results show that long-distance quantum cryptography over say 200 km will remain secure even with seriously flawed detectors.
1,699 citations
TL;DR: A decoy-pulse method to overcome the photon-number-splitting attack for Bennett-Brassard 1984 quantum key distribution protocol in the presence of high loss by intentionally and randomly replacing signal pulses by multiphoton pulses (decoy pulses).
Abstract: We propose a decoy-pulse method to overcome the photon-number-splitting attack for Bennett-Brassard 1984 quantum key distribution protocol in the presence of high loss: A legitimate user intentionally and randomly replaces signal pulses by multiphoton pulses (decoy pulses). Then they check the loss of the decoy pulses. If the loss of the decoy pulses is abnormally less than that of signal pulses, the whole protocol is aborted. Otherwise, to continue the protocol, they estimate the loss of signal multiphoton pulses based on that of decoy pulses. This estimation can be done with an assumption that the two losses have similar values. We justify that assumption.
1,575 citations
TL;DR: An efficient method is proposed to verify the upper bound of the fraction of counts caused by multiphoton pulses in practical quantum key distribution using weak coherent light, given whatever type of Eve's action.
Abstract: We propose an efficient method to verify the upper bound of the fraction of counts caused by multiphoton pulses in practical quantum key distribution using weak coherent light, given whatever type of Eve's action. The protocol simply uses two coherent states for the signal pulses and vacuum for the decoy pulse. Our verified upper bound is sufficiently tight for quantum key distribution with a very lossy channel, in both the asymptotic and nonasymptotic case. So far our protocol is the only decoy-state protocol that works efficiently for currently existing setups.
1,301 citations