Decoherence-assisted quantum key distribution

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: We put forward and demonstrate a controllable decoherence-assisted quantum key distribution scheme. The protocol is based on the possibility of introducing controllable decoherence to polarization qubits using the spatial degree of freedom of light. We show that our method reduces the amount of information that an eavesdropper can obtain in the BB84 protocol under the entangling probe attack. We demonstrate experimentally that Alice and Bob can agree on a scheme that gives low values of the quantum bit error rate, despite the presence of a large amount of decoherence in the transmission channel of the BB84 protocol.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-13508-z

Authors: Daniel R. Sabogal, Daniel F. Urrego, Juan R. Álvarez, Andrés F. Herrera, Juan P. Torres, Alejandra Valencia

Institutions: Universidad de Los Andes, Institute of Photonic Sciences, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Télécom Paris, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Laboratoire Traitement et Communication de l’Information, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya

Language: English

Topic: Quantum Information and Cryptography

Subfield: Artificial Intelligence

Field: Computer Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,690

Funders: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Centres de Recerca de Catalunya, European Commission, Agence Nationale de la Recherche, Generalitat de Catalunya, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Agencia Estatal de Investigación

OpenAlex ID: W4413595446