A novel hybrid protocol for semiquantum key distribution and semiquantum secret sharing

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new hybrid protocol using GHZ-like states for semiquantum key distribution and secret sharing, which is secure against various attacks and does not require quantum memory or complex operations.

Contribution

It presents the first protocol capable of simultaneously performing semiquantum key distribution and secret sharing without quantum memory or complex quantum operations.

Findings

Resists Trojan horse, entangle-measure, CNOT, measure-resend, and intercept-resend attacks.

Does not require quantum memory or complex quantum operations.

Uniquely combines SQKD and SQSS functionalities in one protocol.

Abstract

In this paper, a novel hybrid protocol for semiquantum key distribution (SQKD) and semiquantum secret sharing (SQSS) was constructed by using GHZ-like states. This protocol is capable of establishing two different private keys between one quantum party and two semiquantum parties respectively, and making two semiquantum parties share another private key of the quantum party in the meanwhile. The usages of delay lines, Pauli operations, Hadamard gates and quantum entanglement swapping are not required. Moreover, the semiquantum parties are not necessary to be equipped with any quantum memory. We validate in detail that this protocol resists various attacks from Eve, including the Trojan horse attacks, the entangle-measure attack, the double controlled-not (CNOT) attacks, the measure-resend attack and the intercept-resend attack. To our best knowledge, this protocol is the only protocol which possesses the functions of both SQKD and SQSS simultaneously until now.