English

Fast and secure key distribution using mesoscopic coherent states of light

Quantum Physics 2009-11-07 v4

Abstract

This work shows how two parties A and B can securely share sequences of random bits at optical speeds. A and B possess true-random physical sources and exchange random bits by using a random sequence received to cipher the following one to be sent. A starting shared secret key is used and the method can be described as an unlimited one-time-pad extender. It is demonstrated that the minimum probability of error in signal determination by the eavesdropper can be set arbitrarily close to the pure guessing level. Being based on the MM-ry encryption protocol this method also allows for optical amplification without security degradation, offering practical advantages over the BB84 protocol for key distribution.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.quant-ph/0212033,
  title  = {Fast and secure key distribution using mesoscopic coherent states of light},
  author = {Geraldo A. Barbosa},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:quant-ph/0212033},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

11 pages and 4 figures. This version updates the one published in PRA 68, 052307 (2003). Minor changes were made in the text and one section on Mutual Information was added

R2 v1 2026-07-22T19:37:28.619Z