Multiple-photon absorption attack on entanglement-based quantum key distribution protocols

• We propose a multiple-photon absorption attack on Quantum Key Distribution protocols. In this attack, the eavesdropper (Eve) is in control of the source and sends pulses correlated in polarization (but not entangled) containing several photons at frequencies for which only multiple-photon absorptions are possible in Alice's and Bob's detectors. Whenever the number of photons from one pulse are dispatched in insufficient number to trigger a multiple-photon absorption in either channel, the pulse remains undetected. We show that this simple feature is enough to reproduce the type of statistics on the detected pulses that are considered as indicating a secure quantum key distribution in entangled-based protocols, even though the source is controlled by Eve, and we discuss possible countermeasures.

Ämnesord

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Matematik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Mathematics (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Mathematics

Matematik

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