Efficient semiquantum key distribution based on single photons in both polarization and spatial-mode degrees of freedom

TL;DR

This paper introduces a more efficient semiquantum key distribution protocol utilizing single photons with polarization and spatial-mode degrees of freedom, enhancing capacity and efficiency without requiring quantum memory for the classical user.

Contribution

The proposed protocol doubles quantum communication capacity and improves efficiency compared to previous SQKD protocols, without needing quantum memory or complex operations for the classical user.

Findings

Robustness of single-photon transmission confirmed

Eavesdropper gains no useful information without detection

Protocol achieves higher efficiency than prior SQKD methods

Abstract

In this paper, we propose an efficient semiquantum key distribution (SQKD) protocol which is based on single photons in both polarization and spatial-mode degrees of freedom. This protocol is feasible for a quantum communicant distributing a random private key to a classical communicant. This protocol needn't require the classical communicant to use any quantum memory or unitary operation equipment. We validate the complete robustness of the transmissions of single photons between two communicants. It turns out that during these transmissions, if Eve wants not to be detected by two communicants, she will obtain nothing useful about the final shared key bits. Compared with Boyer et al.'s famous pioneering SQKD protocol (Phys Rev Lett, 2007, 99:140501), this protocol has double quantum communication capacity, as one single photon with two degrees of freedom for generating the key bits can carry two private bits; and this protocol has higher quantum communication efficiency, as it consumes less qubits for establishing a private key of the same length. Compared with the only existing SQKD protocol with single photons in two degrees of freedom (Int J Theor Phys, 2020, 59: 2807), this protocol has higher quantum communication efficiency.