Induced-Photorefraction Attack against Quantum Key Distribution
Peng Ye, Wei Chen, Guo-Wei Zhang, Feng-Yu Lu, Fang‐Xiang Wang, Guan-Zhong Huang, Shuang Wang, De‐Yong He, Zhen‐Qiang Yin, Guang‐Can Guo, Zheng‐Fu Han
Abstract
Lithium niobate (LN) devices have been widely adopted in systems for quantum key distribution (QKD), but the photorefractive effect in LN devices can be exploited as a potential loophole for malicious attacks by eavesdroppers. This work points out a vulnerability of LN devices of which manufacturers and users must become aware, so that appropriate countermeasures may be implemented. Moreover, the physical mechanism and techniques introduced in this work open an important avenue to the security analysis of QKD systems.
Topics & Concepts
Quantum key distributionComputer scienceKey (lock)Photorefractive effectStandardizationQuantumOptoelectronicsMaterials scienceComputer securityPhysicsOperating systemQuantum mechanicsAdvanced Fiber Laser TechnologiesPhotorefractive and Nonlinear OpticsPhotonic and Optical Devices