Quantum key distribution with classical shared secrets and key authentication

摘要

A quantum key distribution (QKD) method involves the sending of random data from a QKD transmitter to a QKD receiver over a quantum signal channel, and the QKD transmitter and receiver respectively processing the data transmitted and received over the quantum signal channel in order to seek to derive a common random data set. This processing is effected with the aid of messages exchanged between QKD transmitter and receiver over an insecure classical communication channel. A least some of the messages transmitted over the classical channel may be based on shared secrets (102, 106, Fig. 4A). The processing concludes with a check 145, effected by an exchange 144 of authenticated messages over the classical communication channel, that the QKD transmitter and receiver have derived the same random data set. This check may involve Alice XORing the common random data set with bits from a store of shared secrets, hashing the result and sending to Bob for comparison with his XORed data. Preferably, messages exchanged during an error correction phase are exchanged without authentication / integrity checking.