Hacking coherent-one-way quantum key distribution with present-day technology

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2406.13760v1
• Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2024 18:16:29 GMT
• Title: Hacking coherent-one-way quantum key distribution with present-day technology
• Authors: Javier Rey-Domínguez, Álvaro Navarrete, Peter van Loock, Marcos Curty,
• Abstract summary: Recent results have shown that the secret-key rate of coherent-one-way (COW) quantum key distribution (QKD) scales quadratically with the system's transmittance. This was proven by using a so-called zero-error attack, which relies on an unambiguous state discrimination (USD) measurement. Here, we investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of zero-error attacks against COW QKD with present-day technology.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Abstract: Recent results have shown that the secret-key rate of coherent-one-way (COW) quantum key distribution (QKD) scales quadratically with the system's transmittance, thus rendering this protocol unsuitable for long-distance transmission. This was proven by using a so-called zero-error attack, which relies on an unambiguous state discrimination (USD) measurement. This type of attack allows the eavesdropper to learn the whole secret key without introducing any error. Here, we investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of zero-error attacks against COW QKD with present-day technology. For this, we introduce two practical USD receivers that can be realized with linear passive optical elements, phase-space displacement operations and threshold single-photon detectors. The first receiver is optimal with respect to its success probability, while the second one can impose stronger restrictions on the protocol's performance with faulty eavesdropping equipment. Our findings suggest that zero-error attacks could break the security of COW QKD even assuming realistic experimental conditions.

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