# Differential phase encoded measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution protocol using three orthogonal time-bin states, enhancing robustness against phase fluctuations and detector attacks, with proven security and promising key rates.

## Contribution

It presents a new MDI-QKD scheme combining differential-phase-shift and MDI techniques, with security proof and performance analysis including finite key considerations.

## Key findings

- Protocol is more robust against phase fluctuations.
- Ensures protection against detector side-channel attacks.
- Secure key rate compares favorably with existing protocols.

## Abstract

We present a measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (MDI-QKD) using single photons in a linear superposition of three orthogonal time-bin states, for generating the key. The orthogonal states correspond to three distinct paths in the delay line interferometers used by two (trusted) sources. The key information is decoded based on the measurement outcomes obtained by an untrusted third party Charles, who uses a beamsplitter to measure the phase difference between pulses traveling through different paths of the two delay lines. The proposed scheme combines the best of both differential-phase-shift (DPS) QKD and MDI-QKD. It is more robust against phase fluctuations, and also ensures protection against detector side-channel attacks. We prove unconditional security by demonstrating an equivalent protocol involving shared entanglement between the two trusted parties. We show that the secure key rate for our protocol compares well to existing protocols in the asymptotic regime. For the decoy-state variant of our protocol, we evaluate the secure key rate by using a phase-post-selection technique. Finally, we estimate the bit error rate and the phase error rate, in the finite key regime.