Practical decoy state for quantum key distribution

Journal Article · Fri Jul 15 00:00:00 EDT 2005 · Physical Review. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.72.012326· OSTI ID:20718334

Xiongfeng, Ma; Bing, Qi; Yi, Zhao; Lo, H -K ^[1]

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1. Center for Quantum Information and Quantum Control, Department of Physics and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3G4 (Canada)

Decoy states have recently been proposed as a useful method for substantially improving the performance of quantum key distribution (QKD). Here, we present a general theory of the decoy state protocol based on only two decoy states and one signal state. We perform optimization on the choice of intensities of the two decoy states and the signal state. Our result shows that a decoy state protocol with only two types of decoy states - the vacuum and a weak decoy state - asymptotically approaches the theoretical limit of the most general type of decoy state protocol (with an infinite number of decoy states). We also present a one-decoy-state protocol. Moreover, we provide estimations on the effects of statistical fluctuations and suggest that, even for long-distance (larger than 100 km) QKD, our two-decoy-state protocol can be implemented with only a few hours of experimental data. In conclusion, decoy state quantum key distribution is highly practical.

• OSTI ID: 20718334
• Journal Information: Physical Review. A, Vol. 72, Issue 1; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.72.012326; (c) 2005 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1050-2947
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
DISTANCE
DISTRIBUTION
FLUCTUATIONS
OPTIMIZATION
PERFORMANCE
QUANTUM ENTANGLEMENT
QUANTUM MECHANICS
SECRECY PROTECTION
SIGNALS