Robustness of quantum key distribution with discrete and continuous variables to channel noise

Mikołaj Lasota, Radim Filip, and Vladyslav C. Usenko
Phys. Rev. A 95, 062312 – Published 7 June 2017

Abstract

We study the robustness of quantum key distribution protocols using discrete or continuous variables to the channel noise. We introduce the model of such noise based on coupling of the signal to a thermal reservoir, typical for continuous-variable quantum key distribution, to the discrete-variable case. Then we perform a comparison of the bounds on the tolerable channel noise between these two kinds of protocols using the same noise parametrization, in the case of implementation which is perfect otherwise. Obtained results show that continuous-variable protocols can exhibit similar robustness to the channel noise when the transmittance of the channel is relatively high. However, for strong loss discrete-variable protocols are superior and can overcome even the infinite-squeezing continuous-variable protocol while using limited nonclassical resources. The requirement on the probability of a single-photon production which would have to be fulfilled by a practical source of photons in order to demonstrate such superiority is feasible thanks to the recent rapid development in this field.

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  • Received 19 February 2016
  • Revised 14 March 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.95.062312

©2017 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Quantum Information, Science & TechnologyAtomic, Molecular & Optical

Authors & Affiliations

Mikołaj Lasota, Radim Filip, and Vladyslav C. Usenko*

  • Department of Optics, Palacký University, 17 Listopadu 1192/12, 77146 Olomouc, Czech Republic

  • *usenko@optics.upol.cz

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Issue

Vol. 95, Iss. 6 — June 2017

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