2004/11/30 by Hoi‐Kwong Lo, Hoi-Kwong Lo, Xiongfeng Ma +1 · 46 citations
Computer Science · Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Algorithm #Computer science #Computer security #Decoy #Distribution (mathematics) #Eavesdropping #Encryption #Key (lock) #Key distribution #Mathematics #Physics #Public-key cryptography #Quantum #Quantum Computing Algorithms and Architecture #Quantum Information and Cryptography #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #Quantum cryptography #Quantum entanglement #Quantum information #Quantum information science #Quantum key distribution #Quantum mechanics #Quantum state #State (computer science) #Statistical physics #quant-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.94.230504
published as Physical Review Letters, 94 (2005) 230504 · Slightly shortened version. Accepted for publication in PRL
arxiv created 2005/05/12 · openalex publication_date 2005/06/16 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
There has been much interest in quantum key distribution. Experimentally, quantum key distribution over 150 km of commercial Telecom fibers has been successfully performed. The crucial issue in quantum key distribution is its security. Unfortunately, all recent experiments are, in principle, insecure due to real-life imperfections. Here, we propose a method that can for the first time make most of those experiments secure by using essentially the same hardware. Our method is to use decoy states to detect eavesdropping attacks. As a consequence, we have the best of both worlds--enjoying unconditional security guaranteed by the fundamental laws of physics and yet dramatically surpassing even some of the best experimental performances reported in the literature.