Countering detector manipulation attacks in quantum communication through detector self-testing
In practical quantum key distribution systems, imperfect physical devices open security loopholes that challenge the core promise of this technology. Apart from various side channels, a vulnerability of single-photon detectors to blinding attacks has been one of the biggest concerns and has been add...
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Language: | English |
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AIP Publishing LLC
2025-01-01
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Series: | APL Photonics |
Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0233772 |
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author | Lijiong Shen Christian Kurtsiefer |
author_facet | Lijiong Shen Christian Kurtsiefer |
author_sort | Lijiong Shen |
collection | DOAJ |
description | In practical quantum key distribution systems, imperfect physical devices open security loopholes that challenge the core promise of this technology. Apart from various side channels, a vulnerability of single-photon detectors to blinding attacks has been one of the biggest concerns and has been addressed both by technical means as well as advanced protocols. In this work, we present a countermeasure against such attacks based on self-testing of detectors to confirm their intended operation without relying on specific aspects of their inner working and to reveal any manipulation attempts. We experimentally demonstrate this countermeasure with a typical InGaAs avalanche photodetector, but the scheme can be easily implemented with any single photon detector. |
format | Article |
id | doaj-art-cd812f7b93ce446a94b78fae1746280c |
institution | Kabale University |
issn | 2378-0967 |
language | English |
publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
publisher | AIP Publishing LLC |
record_format | Article |
series | APL Photonics |
spelling | doaj-art-cd812f7b93ce446a94b78fae1746280c2025-02-03T16:36:22ZengAIP Publishing LLCAPL Photonics2378-09672025-01-01101016106016106-610.1063/5.0233772Countering detector manipulation attacks in quantum communication through detector self-testingLijiong Shen0Christian Kurtsiefer1School of Physics, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311121, ChinaCentre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117543In practical quantum key distribution systems, imperfect physical devices open security loopholes that challenge the core promise of this technology. Apart from various side channels, a vulnerability of single-photon detectors to blinding attacks has been one of the biggest concerns and has been addressed both by technical means as well as advanced protocols. In this work, we present a countermeasure against such attacks based on self-testing of detectors to confirm their intended operation without relying on specific aspects of their inner working and to reveal any manipulation attempts. We experimentally demonstrate this countermeasure with a typical InGaAs avalanche photodetector, but the scheme can be easily implemented with any single photon detector.http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0233772 |
spellingShingle | Lijiong Shen Christian Kurtsiefer Countering detector manipulation attacks in quantum communication through detector self-testing APL Photonics |
title | Countering detector manipulation attacks in quantum communication through detector self-testing |
title_full | Countering detector manipulation attacks in quantum communication through detector self-testing |
title_fullStr | Countering detector manipulation attacks in quantum communication through detector self-testing |
title_full_unstemmed | Countering detector manipulation attacks in quantum communication through detector self-testing |
title_short | Countering detector manipulation attacks in quantum communication through detector self-testing |
title_sort | countering detector manipulation attacks in quantum communication through detector self testing |
url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0233772 |
work_keys_str_mv | AT lijiongshen counteringdetectormanipulationattacksinquantumcommunicationthroughdetectorselftesting AT christiankurtsiefer counteringdetectormanipulationattacksinquantumcommunicationthroughdetectorselftesting |