Abstract
We present an active anti-latching system for superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors. We experimentally test it against a bright-light attack, previously used to compromise security of quantum key distribution. Although our system detects continuous blinding, the detector is shown to be partially blindable and controllable by specially tailored sequences of bright pulses. Improvements to the countermeasure are suggested.
Highlights
More than 30 years have passed since the method of transferring secret information based on the mechanisms of quantum physics, called quantum cryptography, was proposed [1]
Quantum cryptography has significantly developed: various protocols for transmitting key information have been created, various schemes for organizing quantum key distribution systems have been proposed, which have led to the creation of the first commercial quantum key distribution (QKD) systems [2]
Potential vulnerabilities depend on the technical realization of a specific QKD system and are exploited through its imperfection and operating aspects of the employed electronic and optical components
Summary
More than 30 years have passed since the method of transferring secret information based on the mechanisms of quantum physics, called quantum cryptography, was proposed [1]. A special place is occupied by the group of faked-state attacks on single-photon detectors in QKD systems [6] When implementing this type of attack, the eavesdropper Eve prepares optical pulses using a special algorithm and sends them to Bob (the nodes of the quantum key distribution system are usually referred to as Alice and Bob).
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