Photon-number-resolving decoy-state quantum key distribution

Abstract

In this paper, a photon-number-resolving decoy-state quantum key distribution (QKD) scheme is presented based on recent experimental advancements. A new upper bound on the fraction of counts caused by multiphoton pulses is given, which seems inherent as long as weak coherent sources and high lossy channel are used. This implies that our scheme is optimal in long-distance QKD with weak coherent sources. We show that Eve's coherent multiphoton pulse (CMP) attack is more efficient than a symmetric individual attack when the quantum bit error rate is small, so that the CMP attack should be considered to ensure the security of the final key. Our results show that a not-so-weak pulse can be used to transmit the key. Optimal intensity of the laser source is presented which provides a $23.9\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{km}$ increase in the transmission distance.