Measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) can provide enhanced security, as compared to traditional QKD, and it constitutes an important framework for a quantum network with an untrusted network server. Still, a key assumption in MDI-QKD is that the sources are trusted. We propose here a MDI quantum network with a single untrusted source. We have derived a complete proof of the unconditional security of MDI-QKD with an untrusted source. Using simulations, we have considered various real-life imperfections in its implementation, and the simulation results show that MDI-QKD with an untrusted source provides a key generation rate that is close to the rate of initial MDI-QKD in the asymptotic setting. Our work proves the feasibility of the realization of a quantum network. The network users need only low-cost modulation devices, and they can share both an expensive detector and a complicated laser provided by an untrusted network server.
@article{arxiv.1508.00970,
title = {Measurement-device-independent quantum communication with an untrusted source},
author = {Feihu Xu},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1508.00970},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
13 pages, 4 figures. arXiv admin note: the security proof technique is based on arXiv:0802.2725, arXiv:0905.4225.