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.
Authors
- Kun Fang (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3922-4434)
- I. M. George (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1361-694X)
- Thomas van Himbeeck (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7903-7516)
- Norbert Lütkenhaus (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4897-3376)
Institutions
- 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)
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
Funders
- 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