Dr. Ivan D. Derkach Profile

Dr. Ivan D. Derkach

Scientific Researcher at Palacky Univ

SPIE Involvement:

Author

Publications (3)

Proceedings Article | 12 July 2023 Open Access

Applicability of continuous-variable quantum key distribution over satellite links

Ivan Derkach, Vladyslav Usenko

Proceedings Volume 12777, 127772L (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2689998

KEYWORDS: Satellites, Continuous variable quantum key distribution, Quantum channels, Signal attenuation, Quantum squeezing, Quantum protocols, Transmittance, Quantum noise, Quantum security, Modulation

Read Abstract +

We address the applicability of quantum key distribution (QKD) with continuous-variable (CV) coherent and squeezed signal states of light over long-distance satellite-based links, considering low Earth orbits in the advantageous downlink scenario and taking into account strong varying channel attenuation (referred to as fading), atmospheric turbulence and finite data ensemble size effects. The study is motivated by the possibility to use highly efficient homodyne detection for CV protocols, which can serve as filter of background radiation due to matching of the quantum signal to a narrowband intense local oscillator beam. Considering feasible Gaussian modulation, compatible with the most advanced security proofs, we obtain tight security bounds on the untrusted excess noise at the channel output, which suggest that the protocols are very sensitive to the channel noise at the respective loss levels. In this regime, either a set-up stabilization resulting in drastic decrease of noise or relaxation of security assumptions to individual or passive collective attacks is required for implementation over the low Earth orbit satellites. Relaxation of security assumptions can be particularly motivated by the possibility of line-of-sight control of the absence of equipment capable of active collective eavesdropping attacks using quantum memories. Furthermore, splitting the satellite pass into discrete segments and extracting the keys from each rather than from the overall single pass allows one to effectively improve robustness against the untrusted channel noise and establish a secure key even under active collective attacks. Such satellite pass segmentation provides another viable option to reduce channel fading thus improving the secure key rate and allowing to establish the secure link with satellites at higher altitudes. We show that the use of signal squeezing can make the protocols more applicable in the satellite links, allowing for higher attenuation and levels of noise at the given security assumptions, and it has to be optimized in the collective attacks scenario. On the other hand, in the case of trusted noise assumption and at high repetition rates, squeezed-state CV QKD can tolerate attenuation levels up to 42 dB, allowing for higher orbit altitudes or smaller receiving telescope apertures. The obtained results are promising for satellite-based QKD, potentially applicable in daylight conditions.

DOWNLOAD PAPER

Proceedings Article | 7 December 2022 Presentation + Paper

Modulator vulnerability in continuous-variable quantum key distribution

Nitin Jain, Ivan Derkach, Hou-Man Chin, Radim Filip, Ulrik Andersen, Vladyslav Usenko, Tobias Gehring

Proceedings Volume 12274, 122740R (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2638795

KEYWORDS: Modulators, Modulation, Quantum key distribution, Information security, Heterodyning, Transmitters, Receivers

Read Abstract +

Proceedings Article | 7 December 2016 Presentation

Proof-of-principle test of coherent-state continuous variable quantum key distribution through turbulent atmosphere (Conference Presentation)

Ivan Derkach, Christian Peuntinger, László Ruppert, Bettina Heim, Kevin Gunthner, Vladyslav Usenko, Dominique Elser, Christoph Marquardt, Radim Filip, Gerd Leuchs

Proceedings Volume 9996, 999605 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2242107

KEYWORDS: Quantum key distribution, Transmittance, Modulation, Information security, Computer security, Data modeling, Quantum information theory, Quantum information, Quantum physics, Fiber optics

Read Abstract +

Continuous-variable quantum key distribution is a practical application of quantum information theory that is aimed at generation of secret cryptographic key between two remote trusted parties and that uses multi-photon quantum states as carriers of key bits. Remote parties share the secret key via a quantum channel, that presumably is under control of of an eavesdropper, and which properties must be taken into account in the security analysis. Well-studied fiber-optical quantum channels commonly possess stable transmittance and low noise levels, while free-space channels represent a simpler, less demanding and more flexible alternative, but suffer from atmospheric effects such as turbulence that in particular causes a non-uniform transmittance distribution referred to as fading. Nonetheless free-space channels, providing an unobstructed line-of-sight, are more apt for short, mid-range and potentially long-range (using satellites) communication and will play an important role in the future development and implementation of QKD networks. It was previously theoretically shown that coherent-state CV QKD should be in principle possible to implement over a free-space fading channel, but strong transmittance fluctuations result in the significant modulation-dependent channel excess noise. In this regime the post-selection of highly transmitting sub-channels may be needed, which can even restore the security of the protocol in the strongly turbulent channels. We now report the first proof-of-principle experimental test of coherent state CV QKD protocol using different levels Gaussian modulation over a mid-range (1.6-kilometer long) free-space atmospheric quantum channel. The transmittance of the link was characterized using intensity measurements for the reference but channel estimation using the modulated coherent states was also studied. We consider security against Gaussian collective attacks, that were shown to be optimal against CV QKD protocols . We assumed a general entangling cloner collective attack (modeled using data obtained from the state measurement results on both trusted sides of the protocol), that allows to purify the noise added in the quantum channel . Our security analysis of coherent-state protocol also took into account the effect of imperfect channel estimation, limited post-processing efficiency and finite data ensemble size on the performance of the protocol. In this regime we observe the positive key rate even without the need of applying post-selection. We show the positive improvement of the key rate with increase of the modulation variance, still remaining low enough to tolerate the transmittance fluctuations. The obtained results show that coherent-state CV QKD protocol that uses real free-space atmospheric channel can withstand negative influence of transmittance fluctuations, limited post-processing efficiency, imperfect channel estimation and other finite-size effects, and be successfully implemented. Our result paves the way to the full-scale implementation of the CV QKD in real free-space channels at mid-range distances.

View contact details

UPDATE YOUR PROFILE

Is this your profile? Update it now.

Sign into your SPIE.org account

Don’t have a profile and want one?

Create an account on SPIE.org

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years