Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 13, 2025

Quantum State Engineering of Light with Continuous-wave Optical Parametric Oscillators
09:23

Quantum State Engineering of Light with Continuous-wave Optical Parametric Oscillators

Published on: May 30, 2014

14.9K

Attacking quantum key distribution by light injection via ventilation openings.

Juan Carlos Garcia-Escartin1, Shihan Sajeed2,3,4,5, Vadim Makarov4,6,7,8

  • 1Dpto. Teoría de la Señal y Comunicaciones e Ing. Telemática, Universidad de Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain.

Plos One
|August 4, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Effective influenza treatment: a comprehensive review of challenges and advances.

Microbiology and molecular biology reviews : MMBR·2026
Same author

Efficacy, Structure-Activity Relationship, and Mode of Action Studies of a New Generation of Acridine/Acridone-Based Antimalarials.

ACS infectious diseases·2026
Same author

Penetration testing of a quantum key distribution system as a black box.

National science review·2026
Same author

Enhanced Antiviral Activity of Novel Umifenovir Derivatives against SARS-CoV-2: Insights from an International Collaborative Study.

ACS omega·2026
Same author

Vindeburnol Induces Neuroprotection in Rat Traumatic Brain Injury via Adrenergic Receptor Antagonism.

CNS & neurological disorders drug targets·2026
Same author

Structural basis for EtfD-mediated coupling of β-oxidation and the respiratory chain in mycobacteria.

The EMBO journal·2026
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers demonstrate a new side-channel attack on quantum cryptography systems. By injecting light into optical devices, attackers can potentially leak secret key information, posing a security risk to quantum key distribution and random number generators.

Area of Science:

  • Quantum Information Science
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applied Physics

Background:

  • Quantum cryptography offers security based on physical laws, theoretically immune to computational attacks.
  • Deviations from ideal assumptions in quantum systems can be exploited by attackers.
  • Side-channel attacks exploit physical leakage rather than algorithmic weaknesses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate a novel side-channel attack exploiting physical vulnerabilities in quantum devices.
  • To demonstrate the feasibility of light injection as an attack vector.
  • To assess the security implications for quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum random number generators (QRNGs).

Main Methods:

  • Experimental demonstration of light injection into optical devices via ventilation holes.

More Related Videos

Quasi-light Storage for Optical Data Packets
07:45

Quasi-light Storage for Optical Data Packets

Published on: February 6, 2014

11.2K
Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs
06:42

Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs

Published on: June 8, 2018

9.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 13, 2025

Quantum State Engineering of Light with Continuous-wave Optical Parametric Oscillators
09:23

Quantum State Engineering of Light with Continuous-wave Optical Parametric Oscillators

Published on: May 30, 2014

14.9K
Quasi-light Storage for Optical Data Packets
07:45

Quasi-light Storage for Optical Data Packets

Published on: February 6, 2014

11.2K
Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs
06:42

Generation and Coherent Control of Pulsed Quantum Frequency Combs

Published on: June 8, 2018

9.5K
  • Testing the attack on an ID Quantique Clavis2 quantum key distribution platform.
  • Applying the light injection technique to a prototype quantum random number generator.

    • Main Results:

    • Successful light injection demonstrated, potentially leaking secret key information.
    • The attack was shown to bias the output of a prototype quantum random number generator.
    • Experimental evidence confirms light injection as a viable threat to quantum information processing devices.

    Conclusions:

    • Light injection represents a significant security risk for quantum information processing systems.
    • Current quantum device designs may have vulnerabilities that allow for such side-channel attacks.
    • Addressing light injection vulnerabilities is crucial for the secure development of quantum technologies.