Measurement device hacking-free mutual quantum identity authentication over a deployed optical fiber

Area of Science:

• Quantum Information Science
• Quantum Communication Security
• Cryptography

Background:

• Quantum identity authentication is vital for secure quantum communication.
• Measurement device vulnerabilities to quantum hacking pose significant security risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a measurement-device-independent mutual quantum identity authentication (MDI MQIA) scheme.
• To ensure secure user authentication against quantum hacking of measurement devices.

Main Methods:

• Developed a modified Bell state measurement using linear optics for probabilistic measurement of all Bell states.
• Implemented a plug-and-play architecture to ensure photon indistinguishability between communication parties.
• Conducted a proof-of-principle experimental demonstration over a deployed fiber optic link.

Main Results:

• Successfully demonstrated the MDI MQIA scheme.
• Achieved quantum bit error rates below 3% in the experimental setup.
• Validated the scheme's effectiveness despite using vulnerable measurement devices.

Conclusions:

• The proposed MDI MQIA scheme offers robust security for quantum communication.
• The scheme effectively mitigates security threats from quantum hacking of measurement devices.
• The experimental validation confirms the practical feasibility of the MDI MQIA scheme.