Shared Quantum Key Distribution Based on Asymmetric Double Quantum Teleportation

abstract

© 2022 by the authors.Quantum cryptography is a well-stated field within quantum applications where quantum information is used to set secure communications, authentication, and secret keys. Now used in quantum devices with those purposes, particularly Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), which proposes a secret key between two parties free of effective eavesdropping, at least at a higher level than classical cryptography. The best-known quantum protocol to securely share a secret key is the BB84 one. Other protocols have been proposed as adaptations of it. Most of them are based on the quantum indeterminacy for non-orthogonal quantum states. Their security is commonly based on the large length of the key. In the current work, a BB84-like procedure for QKD based on double quantum teleportation allows the sharing of the key statement using several parties. Thus, the quantum bits of information are assembled among three parties via entanglement, instead of travelling through a unique quantum channel as in the traditional protocol. Asymmetry in the double teleportation plus post-measurement retains the secrecy in the process. Despite requiring more complex control and resources, the procedure dramatically reduces the probability of success for an eavesdropper under individual attacks, because of the ignorance of the processing times in the procedure. Quantum Bit Error Rate remains in the acceptable threshold and it becomes configurable. The article depicts the double quantum teleportation procedure, the associated control to introduce the QKD scheme, the analysis of individual attacks performed by an eavesdropper, and a brief comparison with other protocols.