Some physics and system issues in the security analysis of quantum key distribution protocols

Horace P. Yuen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

In this paper, we review a number of issues on the security of quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols that bear directly on the relevant physics or mathematical representation of the QKD cryptosystem. It is shown that the cryptosystem representation itself may miss out many possible attacks, which are not accounted for in the security analysis and proofs. Hence, the final security claims drawn from such analysis are not reliable, apart from foundational issues about the security criteria that are discussed elsewhere. The cases of continuous-variable QKD and multi-photon sources are elaborated upon.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2241-2254
Number of pages14
JournalQuantum Information Processing
Volume13
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2014

Keywords

  • Quantum cryptography
  • Quantum key distribution
  • Quantum optics

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Statistical and Nonlinear Physics
  • Theoretical Computer Science
  • Signal Processing
  • Modeling and Simulation
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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