Enhancing Performance of Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution (CV-QKD) and Gaussian Modulation of Coherent States (GMCS) in Free-Space Channels under Individual Attacks with Phase-Sensitive Amplifier (PSA) and Homodyne Detection (HD)

Alshaer, Nancy and Ismail, Tawfik and Mahmoud, Haitham (2024) Enhancing Performance of Continuous-Variable Quantum Key Distribution (CV-QKD) and Gaussian Modulation of Coherent States (GMCS) in Free-Space Channels under Individual Attacks with Phase-Sensitive Amplifier (PSA) and Homodyne Detection (HD). Sensors, 24 (16). p. 5201. ISSN 1424-8220

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Abstract

In recent research, there has been a significant focus on establishing robust quantum cryptography using the continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) protocol based on Gaussian modulation of coherent states (GMCS). Unlike more stable fiber channels, one challenge faced in free-space quantum channels is the complex transmittance characterized by varying atmospheric turbulence. This complexity poses difficulties in achieving high transmission rates and long-distance communication. In this article, we thoroughly evaluate the performance of the CV-QKD/GMCS system under the effect of individual attacks, considering homodyne detection with both direct and reverse reconciliation techniques. To address the issue of limited detector efficiency, we incorporate the phase-sensitive amplifier (PSA) as a compensating measure. The results show that the CV-QKD/GMCS system with PSA achieves a longer secure distance and a higher key rate compared to the system without PSA, considering both direct and reverse reconciliation algorithms. With an amplifier gain of 10, the reverse reconciliation algorithm achieves a secure distance of 5 km with a secret key rate of 10−1 bits/pulse. On the other hand, direct reconciliation reaches a secure distance of 2.82 km.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.3390/s24165201
Dates:	Date Event 9 August 2024 Accepted 11 August 2024 Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords:	continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD), Gaussian modulation of coherent states (GMCS), free space quantum channels, atmospheric turbulence, secret key rate (SKR), phase-sensitive amplifier (PSA), homodyne detection, individual attack
Subjects:	CAH11 - computing > CAH11-01 - computing > CAH11-01-01 - computer science
Divisions:	Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment > College of Computing
Depositing User:	Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited:	07 Mar 2025 14:43
Last Modified:	07 Mar 2025 14:43
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/16208

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