Abstract

We provide limits to practical quantum key distribution, taking into account channel losses, a realistic detection process, and imperfections in the "qubits" sent from the sender to the receiver. As we show, even quantum key distribution with perfect qubits might not be achievable over long distances when the other imperfections are taken into account. Furthermore, existing experimental schemes (based on weak pulses) currently do not offer unconditional security for the reported distances and signal strength. Finally we show that parametric down-conversion offers enhanced performance compared to its weak coherent pulse counterpart.

Keywords

Quantum key distributionCommunication sourceQubitQuantum cryptographyComputer scienceKey (lock)Parametric statisticsKey generationPhysicsCryptographyQuantumProcess (computing)Channel (broadcasting)Statistical physicsQuantum mechanicsTopology (electrical circuits)Quantum informationTelecommunicationsAlgorithmMathematicsComputer security

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Publication Info

Year
2000
Type
article
Volume
85
Issue
6
Pages
1330-1333
Citations
1152
Access
Closed

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Gilles Brassard, Norbert Lütkenhaus, Tal Mor et al. (2000). Limitations on Practical Quantum Cryptography. Physical Review Letters , 85 (6) , 1330-1333. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.85.1330

Identifiers

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.85.1330