An Effective Parameter Analysis for Sending-or-Not-Sending Quantum Key Distribution with Untrusted Light Sources

The twin-field (TF) protocol is a key protocol in quantum key distribution (QKD) that enables remote key distribution, achieving a maximum secure transmission distance of over 500 km. However, the TF protocol still faces several security issues in real-world environments. To address the issue of untrusted sources, one effective solution is to introduce a light-source monitoring module into the system. Analysis shows that a solution based on untagged bits (UBs) can achieve ideal monitoring performance. This solution can capture UB signals to accurately estimate key parameters in the protocol's security analysis, ultimately deriving a tight bound for the secure bit rate. Simulations show that this solution approximates the performance of ideal light sources in the presence of untrusted sources and effectively mitigates the impact of light-source fluctuations. It outperforms other solutions in key performance metrics, such as transmission distance.