Phase-error estimation for quantum key distribution with leaky receivers

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2608.09674v1
• Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2026 14:49:28 GMT
• Title: Phase-error estimation for quantum key distribution with leaky receivers
• Abstract summary: Quantum key distribution (QKD) receivers may leak information about their measurement outcomes to the channel.<n>We present a simple finite-key security proof based on phase-error estimation for prepare-and-measure QKD.
• Score: 0.0
• License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/
• Abstract: Practical quantum key distribution (QKD) receivers may leak information about their measurement outcomes and settings to the channel (e.g., through detector backflashes or back-reflected Trojan-horse light) that could compromise the protocol's security. Here we present a simple finite-key security proof based on phase-error estimation for prepare-and-measure QKD in the presence of either a priori information leakage about the basis choices and/or a posteriori information leakage about the measurement outcomes. The proof requires only a bound on the distinguishability of the side-channel states. Furthermore, the analysis is modular and compatible with existing security proofs that address detector and source imperfections, making it applicable to a wide range of practical QKD implementations.

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