Open-destination measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution network

TL;DR

This paper introduces an open-destination measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution network that enhances security and flexibility, allowing any user to establish secure keys with others without trusted relays.

Contribution

It proposes a novel, secure, and extensible QKD network scheme that is resistant to untrusted relays and detector side-channel attacks, enabling multi-user secure communication.

Findings

Secure communication established in a four-user network simulation.

Scheme is resistant to untrusted relays and detector attacks.

Realistic simulations account for source and detector imperfections.

Abstract

Quantum key distribution (QKD) networks hold promise for sharing secure randomness over multi-partities. Most existing QKD network schemes and demonstrations are based on trusted relays or limited to point-to-point scenario. Here, we propose a flexible and extensible scheme named as open-destination measurement-device-independent QKD network. The scheme enjoys security against untrusted relays and all detector side-channel attacks. Particularly, any users can accomplish key distribution under assistance of others in the network. As an illustration, we show in detail a four-user network where two users establish secure communication and present realistic simulations by taking into account imperfections of both sources and detectors.