Full-field implementation of a perfect eavesdropper on a quantum cryptography system

Ilja Gerhardt, Qin Liu (), Antía Lamas-Linares, Johannes Skaar, Christian Kurtsiefer () and Vadim Makarov ()
Additional contact information
Ilja Gerhardt: Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
Qin Liu: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Antía Lamas-Linares: Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
Johannes Skaar: Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Christian Kurtsiefer: Centre for Quantum Technologies, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117543, Singapore.
Vadim Makarov: Norwegian University of Science and Technology

Nature Communications, 2011, vol. 2, issue 1, 1-6

Abstract: Abstract Quantum key distribution (QKD) allows two remote parties to grow a shared secret key. Its security is founded on the principles of quantum mechanics, but in reality it significantly relies on the physical implementation. Technological imperfections of QKD systems have been previously explored, but no attack on an established QKD connection has been realized so far. Here we show the first full-field implementation of a complete attack on a running QKD connection. An installed eavesdropper obtains the entire 'secret' key, while none of the parameters monitored by the legitimate parties indicate a security breach. This confirms that non-idealities in physical implementations of QKD can be fully practically exploitable, and must be given increased scrutiny if quantum cryptography is to become highly secure.

Date: 2011
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1348

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