Proof-of-principle experimental demonstration of quantum secure imaging based on quantum key distribution

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a quantum secure imaging system utilizing quantum key distribution techniques, achieving secure, efficient imaging with low error rates and immunity to jamming, suitable for quantum security applications.

Contribution

It introduces a simplified quantum secure imaging scheme based on phase encoding and decoy-state BB84 protocol, integrating digital micro-mirror devices for efficient ghost imaging.

Findings

Achieved a secure key rate of 571.0 bps

Obtained a secure QBER of 3.99%

Successfully imaged objects with low error and high security

Abstract

We present a quantum secure imaging (QSI) scheme based on the phase encoding and weak + vacuum decoy-state BB84 protocol of quantum key distribution (QKD). It allows us to implement a computational ghost imaging (CGI) system with more simplified equipment and reconstructed algorithms by using a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) to preset the specific spatial distribution of the light intensity. What's more, the quantum bit error rate (QBER) and the secure key rate analytical functions of QKD are used to see through the intercept-resend jamming attacks and ensure the authenticity of the imaging information. In the experiment, we obtained the image of the object quickly and efficiently by measuring the signal photon counts with single-photon detector (SPD), and achieved a secure key rate of 571.0 bps and a secure QBER of 3.99%, which is well below the lower bound of QBER of 14.51$\%$. Besides, our imaging system uses a laser with invisible wavelength of 1550 nm, whose intensity is low as single-photon, that can realize weak-light imaging and is immune to the stray light or air turbulence, thus it will become a better choice for quantum security radar against intercept-resend jamming attacks.