A coherence-witnessing game and applications to semi-device-independent quantum key distribution

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new semi-device-independent quantum key distribution protocol based on a coherence equality game, enabling secure communication with minimal quantum operations and robustness against noise, proven in the bounded quantum storage model.

Contribution

It presents a novel coherence-based protocol that combines semi-device independence with semi-quantum features, requiring only classical operations for security.

Findings

Security proven in the bounded quantum storage model

Protocol is noise-robust and relies on fixed-basis detections

Enables simplified, hardware-tolerant quantum key distribution

Abstract

Semi-device-independent quantum key distribution aims to achieve a balance between the highest level of security, device independence, and experimental feasibility. Semi-quantum key distribution presents an intriguing approach that seeks to minimize users' reliance on quantum operations while maintaining security, thus enabling the development of simplified and hardware fault-tolerant quantum protocols. In this work, we introduce a coherence-based, semi-device-independent, semi-quantum key distribution protocol built upon a noise-robust version of a coherence equality game that witnesses various types of coherence. Security is proven in the bounded quantum storage model, requiring users to implement only classical operations, specifically fixed-basis detections.