Open AccessCountermeasure for security loophole caused by asymmetric correlations of reference frame independent quantum key distribution with fewer quantum states
Author(s) -
Kyongchun Lim,
Byung-Seok Choi,
Je Hyun Baek,
MinChul Kim,
Joong-Seon Choe,
Kap-Joong Kim,
YoungHo Ko,
Chun Ju Youn
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.427055
Subject(s) - quantum key distribution , countermeasure , computer science , compensation (psychology) , quantum cryptography , reference frame , frame (networking) , transmitter , quantum , physics , electronic engineering , telecommunications , quantum information , quantum mechanics , engineering , aerospace engineering , psychology , channel (broadcasting) , psychoanalysis
One of the challenging issues in free-space quantum key distribution (QKD) is the requirement of active compensation of the reference frame between the transmitter and receiver. Reference frame independent (RFI) QKD removes active compensation, but it requires more quantum states. A recent proposal can effectively reduce the required quantum states, but this can be achieved assuming the correlations defined in RFI QKD are symmetric. In a real QKD system, such symmetric correlations cannot always be satisfied owing to the device imperfections and optical misalignment. We theoretically analyze the effect of asymmetric correlations. Consequently, we report that the asymmetry causes security loopholes and provide a countermeasure to prevent them. Furthermore, we provide the experimental results of a free-space RFI QKD system to verify the countermeasure for the aforementioned problem. In conclusion, our work provides feasibility of the practical RFI QKD system with fewer quantum states by effectively preventing the security loophole.