Noiseless Linear Amplifiers in Entanglement-Based Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method using noiseless linear amplifiers to enhance the performance and transmission distances of entanglement-based continuous-variable quantum key distribution protocols, especially under realistic conditions.

Contribution

It proposes applying noiseless linear amplifiers to two entanglement-based CV-QKD schemes with untrusted sources or relays, improving their performance.

Findings

Increased maximal transmission distances with noiseless amplifiers

Performance improvement under realistic entanglement conditions

Effective for protocols with untrusted components

Abstract

We propose a method to improve the performance of two entanglement-based continuous-variable quantum key distribution protocols using noiseless linear amplifiers. The two entanglement-based schemes consist of an entanglement distribution protocol with an untrusted source and an entanglement swapping protocol with an untrusted relay. Simulation results show that the noiseless linear amplifiers can improve the performance of these two protocols, in terms of maximal transmission distances, when we consider small amounts of entanglement, as typical in realistic setups.