2012/10/25 by Patrick J. Clarke, Robert J. Collins, Vedran Dunjko +3 · 2 citations
Computer Science · Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Communication source #Computer network #Computer science #Computer security #Digital signature #Encryption #Hash function #Mathematical proof #Mathematics #Physics #Quantum #Quantum Computing Algorithms and Architecture #Quantum Information and Cryptography #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #Quantum key distribution #Quantum mechanics #Theoretical computer science #physics.optics #quant-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1038/ncomms2172
published as Nat. Commun. 3:1174 (2012) · Final version submitted for publication. Some slight changes were made to the structure of the text and figures before publication. Includes Supplementary Information
openalex publication_date 2012/10/25 · arxiv created 2013/06/04 · arxiv updated 2013/06/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Digital signatures are frequently used in data transfer to prevent impersonation, repudiation and message tampering. Currently used classical digital signature schemes rely on public key encryption techniques, where the complexity of so-called ‘one-way’ mathematical functions is used to provide security over sufficiently long timescales. No mathematical proofs are known for the long-term security of such techniques. Quantum digital signatures offer a means of sending a message, which cannot be forged or repudiated, with security verified by information-theoretical limits and quantum mechanics. Here we demonstrate an experimental system, which distributes quantum signatures from one sender to two receivers and enables message sending ensured against forging and repudiation. Additionally, we analyse the security of the system in some typical scenarios. Our system is based on the interference of phase-encoded coherent states of light and our implementation utilizes polarization-maintaining optical fibre and photons with a wavelength of 850 nm. Quantum digital signatures exploit quantum mechanics to provide verification of messages at the limits of information theory. Clarkeet al.demonstrate a photonic system that provides quantum digital signatures for messages sent to two receivers and is secure against forgery and repudiation.