Finite-Key Analysis of Quantum Key Distribution with Characterized Devices Using Entropy Accumulation

The Entropy Accumulation Theorem (EAT) was introduced to significantly improve the finite-size rates for device-independent quantum information processing tasks such as device-independent quantum key distribution (QKD). A natural question would be whether it also improves the rates for device-dependent QKD. In this work, we provide an affirmative answer to this question. We present new tools for applying the EAT in the device-dependent setting. We present sufficient conditions for the Markov chain conditions to hold as well as general algorithms for constructing the needed min-tradeoff function. Utilizing Dupuis' recent privacy amplification without smoothing result, we improve the key rate by optimizing the sandwiched Rényi entropy directly rather than considering the traditional smooth min-entropy. We exemplify these new tools by considering several examples including the BB84 protocol with the qubit-based version and with a realistic parametric down-conversion source, the six-state four-state protocol and a high-dimensional analog of the BB84 protocol.

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Publication Details

Journal
Quantum
Published
2025-12-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.22331/q-2025-12-12-1941
Citations
4
Primary Topic
Quantum Information and Cryptography
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
4.96

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article

Finite-Key Analysis of Quantum Key Distribution with Characterized Devices Using Entropy Accumulation

Kun Fang, I. M. George, Thomas van Himbeeck, Norbert Lütkenhaus
4 citations
Quantum
Quantum Information and Cryptography
4.96
article

Finite-Key Analysis of Quantum Key Distribution with Characterized Devices Using Entropy Accumulation

Kun Fang, I. M. George, Thomas van Himbeeck, Norbert Lütkenhaus
article en
4 citations

Abstract

The Entropy Accumulation Theorem (EAT) was introduced to significantly improve the finite-size rates for device-independent quantum information processing tasks such as device-independent quantum key distribution (QKD). A natural question would be whether it also improves the rates for device-dependent QKD. In this work, we provide an affirmative answer to this question. We present new tools for applying the EAT in the device-dependent setting. We present sufficient conditions for the Markov chain conditions to hold as well as general algorithms for constructing the needed min-tradeoff function. Utilizing Dupuis' recent privacy amplification without smoothing result, we improve the key rate by optimizing the sandwiched Rényi entropy directly rather than considering the traditional smooth min-entropy. We exemplify these new tools by considering several examples including the BB84 protocol with the qubit-based version and with a realistic parametric down-conversion source, the six-state four-state protocol and a high-dimensional analog of the BB84 protocol.

QuantumVol. 9
University of Waterloo (CA), University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (US), University of Toronto (CA), University of Illinois System (US), Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CN)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, National Natural Science Foundation of China, University of Waterloo, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen Fundamental Research Program, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada
Openalex Percentile: Top 6%
Quantum Information and Cryptography
4.96
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