npj Quantum Information (Sep 2022)

Long-range QKD without trusted nodes is not possible with current technology

  • Bruno Huttner,
  • Romain Alléaume,
  • Eleni Diamanti,
  • Florian Fröwis,
  • Philippe Grangier,
  • Hannes Hübel,
  • Vicente Martin,
  • Andreas Poppe,
  • Joshua A. Slater,
  • Tim Spiller,
  • Wolfgang Tittel,
  • Benoit Tranier,
  • Adrian Wonfor,
  • Hugo Zbinden

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41534-022-00613-4
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 1
pp. 1 – 5

Abstract

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A recently published patent ( https://www.ipo.gov.uk/p-ipsum/Case/PublicationNumber/GB2590064 ) has claimed the development of a novel quantum key distribution protocol purporting to achieve long-range quantum security without trusted nodes and without use of quantum repeaters. Here we present a straightforward analysis of this claim, and reach the conclusion that it is largely unfounded.