Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Position information underpins many modern technologies, from navigation and timing to authentication and critical infrastructure. However, classical methods of proving that information originates from a particular position are vulnerable to spoofing. This limitation can be overcome with quantum technologies but current protocols rely on trust in quantum hardware that can be undermined, or require quantum computers and bounds on adversarial computation. Nevertheless, there has been significant interest in experimental demonstrations, and aspects of these protocols have been implemented. Here we introduce and experimentally demonstrate the Bell-test quantum position verification protocol for device-independent quantum position verification that guarantees security with only observed correlations from a loophole-free Bell test across a quantum network. We experimentally implement a version of this device-independent protocol against adversaries who, before each trial, are weakly entangled. Our demonstration achieves a one-dimensional localization 2.47(2) times smaller than the best, necessarily non-remote, classical localization protocol. Compared to classical protocols with identical latencies, the localization volume is 4.53(5) times smaller, and represents a certifiable quantum advantage. The general Bell-test protocol is loss tolerant and secure against adversaries with significant quantum resources. This work allows digital security to be anchored to physically trusted locations, enabling new position-based authentication protocols for applications such as financial transactions, legal agreements, and securing critical infrastructure.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Authors: Kavuri, Gautam A., Zhang, Yanbao, Gookin, Abigail R., Patra, Soumyadip, Bienfang, Joshua C., Fu, Honghao, Alnawakhtha, Yusuf, Reddy, Dileep V., Mazurek, Michael D., Abellán, Carlos, Amaya, Waldimar, Mitchell, Morgan W., Nam, Sae Woo, Miller, Carl A., Mirin, Richard P., Stevens, Martin J., Glancy, Scott, Knill, Emanuel, Shalm, Lynden K.
Institutions: National Institute of Standards and Technology, University of Colorado Boulder, Quantum Applied Science and Research (United States), LSU New Orleans, Joint Quantum Institute, Concordia University, Joint Center for Quantum Information and Computer Science, University of Maryland, College Park, Quside Technologies (Spain), Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats, Institute of Photonic Sciences, Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, Physical Measurement Laboratory
Subfield: Artificial Intelligence
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Awards: Heralded Entangled Sources for All-optical Quantum Networks with a Quantum Advantage, QLCI-CI: NSF Quantum Leap Challenge Institute for Enhanced Sensing and Distribution Using Correlated Quantum States, NQVL:QSTD:Pilot: Attosecond Synchronized Photonic Entanglement Network (ASPEN-Net), ExpandQISE: Track 1: Harnessing a scalable platform to demonstrate multipartite quantum effects under strict conditions, G8112252852, G8703256286
OpenAlex ID: W7125673308
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