Implementation of Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution based on a Heralded Qubit Amplification

Authors:
Preprint
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Bell inequalities considerably advanced our understanding of the quantum world. Interestingly, they are also at the heart of potential applications, such as device-independent quantum key distribution. By performing a Bell test, two users can bound the information that an eavesdropper could have on the distributed key, independently of the internal workings of the devices used to generate the key. However, an experimental implementation of device-independent quantum key distribution is still awaited, since hitherto all optical Bell tests are subject to the detection loophole, making the protocol unsecured. In particular, photon losses in the quantum channel inevitably open the detection loophole and thus represent a fundamental limitation for device-independent quantum key distribution. Here, we present a simple scheme combining single-photon sources and linear optics to amplify photonic qubits in a heralded way that provides a realistic solution to overcome the problem of channel losses in Bell tests. Our proposal moves device-independent quantum key distribution from the realm of theory to one of applied physics. It represents a new challenge for the quantum communication community.

This publication has 22 references indexed in Scilit: