Counterfactual distribution of cat states

TL;DR

This paper extends counterfactual cryptography to quantum entanglement distribution, enabling the counterfactual sharing of multi-partite cat states by replacing classical inputs with quantum superpositions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel scheme for counterfactual quantum entanglement distribution using quantum superpositions, generalizing previous classical input methods.

Findings

Successfully generalizes to multi-partite cat states

Enables entanglement distribution without particle travel

Provides a new framework for counterfactual quantum communication

Abstract

In the counterfactual cryptography scheme proposed by Noh (2009), the sender Alice probabilistically transmits classical information to the receiver Bob without the physical travel of a particle. Here we generalize this idea to the distribution of quantum entanglement. The key insight is to replace their classical input choices with quantum superpositions. We further show that the scheme can be generalized to counterfactually distribute multi-partite cat states.