Overcoming unambiguous state discrimination attack with the help of Schr\"odinger Cat decoy states

TL;DR

This paper introduces a method using Schr"odinger Cat decoy states in phase-coded weak coherent state protocols to prevent unambiguous state discrimination attacks, enhancing quantum key distribution security.

Contribution

The work proposes a novel decoy state technique based on Schr"odinger Cat states to counter USD attacks in quantum communication protocols.

Findings

Schr"odinger Cat states effectively prevent USD attacks.

Decoy states based on squeezed vacuum states reduce discrimination probabilities.

Eavesdropping can be detected by monitoring decoy state detection rates.

Abstract

In this work we propose the technique for phase-coded weak coherent states protocols utilizing two signal states and one decoy state which is found as linear combination of signal states (Schr\"odinger Cat states); the latter allows to overcome the USD attack. For instance, Schr\"odinger Cat states can be considered as even coherent states. Moreover we consider decoy states implementation based on squeezed vacuum states which might not disables USD completely yet produces discrimination probabilities low enough to distribute keys in channel with particular losses. Thus we can detect Eve simply by monitoring the detection rate of decoy states. It should be noted that this approach can be scaled to more complex schemes.