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Four-state continuous-variable quantum key distribution with a hybrid linear amplifier

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Abstract

In this paper, a modified four-state continuous variable quantum key distribution protocol is proposed by adding a hybrid linear amplifier to Bob’s output. The heralded hybrid linear amplifier is composed by an ideal deterministic linear amplifier and a probabilistic noiseless linear amplifier. The degradation of signal-to-noise ratio caused by deterministic linear amplifier during the amplification of quantum light states can be surmounted by the probabilistic amplification process. The hybrid linear amplifier allows us to tune between the regimes of high gain or high noise reduction and control the trade-off between the amplification coefficient and a finite heralding probability flexibly. We examine how the new protocol is affected by the hybrid amplifier’s G and g parameters. By adjusting the characteristics of the hybrid linear amplifier, it is possible to optimize the key at a specific distance. In order to improve the simulation’s reality value, we take into account the role of finite-size while examining the key rate and simulation. The application for the hybrid linear amplifier is increased by its use in the four-state protocol.

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 62201620, 61872390, 61972418), the Outstanding Youth Program of Education Department of Hunan Province (Grant Nos. 21B0228, 22B0267), the Changsha Municipal Natural Science Foundation (Grant No. kq2202293), Natural Science Foundation (Young Program) of Hunan Province of China (Grant No. 2022JJ40878).

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Author notes

  1. Leixin Wu, Yanyan Feng, Hui Li, Jinjing Shi and Ronghua Shi have contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Computer and Information Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha, 410004, People’s Republic of China

    Jian Zhou, Leixin Wu, Yanyan Feng & Hui Li

  2. School of Computer Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083, People’s Republic of China

    Jinjing Shi & Ronghua Shi

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  1. Jian Zhou
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  2. Leixin Wu
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Correspondence to Jian Zhou.

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Zhou, J., Wu, L., Feng, Y. et al. Four-state continuous-variable quantum key distribution with a hybrid linear amplifier. Quantum Inf Process 22, 356 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11128-023-04111-0

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