Towards experimental demonstration of quantum position verification using true single photons

TL;DR

This paper reports an experimental demonstration of quantum position verification using true single photons and Hong-Ou-Mandel interference, advancing the practical feasibility of position-based cryptography.

Contribution

It presents the first experimental implementation of a quantum position verification protocol resilient to loss, utilizing two-photon interference with true single photons.

Findings

Successful demonstration of quantum position verification protocol

Resilience to loss demonstrated in the experimental setup

Progress towards practical quantum position-based cryptography

Abstract

The geographical position can be a good credential for authentication of a party, this is the basis of position-based cryptography - but classically this cannot be done securely without physical exchange of a private key. However, recently, it has been shown that by combining quantum mechanics with the speed of light limit of special relativity, this might be possible: quantum position verification. Here we demonstrate experimentally a protocol that uses two-photon Hong-Ou-Mandel interference at a beamsplitter, which, in combination with two additional beam splitters and 4 detectors is rendering the protocol resilient to loss. With this we are able to show first results towards an experimental demonstration of quantum position verification.