Device Calibration Impacts Security of Quantum Key Distribution

Jain N, Wittmann C, Lydersen L, Wiechers C, Elser DA, Marquardt C, Makarov V, Leuchs G (2011)


Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2011

Journal

Book Volume: 107

Article Number: 110501

Journal Issue: 11

DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.110501

Abstract

Characterizing the physical channel and calibrating the cryptosystem hardware are prerequisites for establishing a quantum channel for quantum key distribution (QKD). Moreover, an inappropriately implemented calibration routine can open a fatal security loophole. We propose and experimentally demonstrate a method to induce a large temporal detector efficiency mismatch in a commercial QKD system by deceiving a channel length calibration routine. We then devise an optimal and realistic strategy using faked states to break the security of the cryptosystem. A fix for this loophole is also suggested. © 2011 American Physical Society.

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APA:

Jain, N., Wittmann, C., Lydersen, L., Wiechers, C., Elser, D.A., Marquardt, C.,... Leuchs, G. (2011). Device Calibration Impacts Security of Quantum Key Distribution. Physical Review Letters, 107(11). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.110501

MLA:

Jain, Nitin, et al. "Device Calibration Impacts Security of Quantum Key Distribution." Physical Review Letters 107.11 (2011).

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