English

Quantum Secrecy in Thermal States

Quantum Physics 2018-08-14 v3

Abstract

We propose to perform quantum key distribution using quantum correlations occurring within thermal states produced by low power sources such as LED's. These correlations are exploited through the Hanbury Brown and Twiss effect. We build an optical central broadcast protocol using a superluminescent diode which allows switching between laser and thermal regimes, enabling us to provide experimental key rates in both regimes. We provide a theoretical analysis and show that quantum secrecy is possible, even in high noise situations.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1711.06592,
  title  = {Quantum Secrecy in Thermal States},
  author = {Elizabeth Newton and Anne Ghesquière and Freya L. Wilson and Benjamin T. H. Varcoe and Martin Moseley},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1711.06592},
  year   = {2018}
}

Comments

This version includes revisions prompted by referees comments, and some other small editorial comments

R2 v1 2026-06-22T22:49:32.142Z