Two-party quantum private comparison protocol with maximally entangled seven-qubit state

Abstract

Quantum private comparison (QPC), whose security is based on some laws of quantum mechanics (e.g. quantum noncloning theorem and Heisenbergs uncertainty principle), allows [Formula: see text] parties who do not trust each other to judge whether their secret data are the same while maintaining data privacy. In this paper, we investigate the utility of the maximally entangled seven-qubit state for QPC, and we propose a new protocol which enables two parties to compare their secret data with each other for equality without disclosing their secret data. In our protocol, single particle measurements and Bell-basis measurements are employed, both of which can be implemented with current technologies. In addition to quantum measurements, our protocol does not use other quantum technologies such as entanglement swapping and unitary operations. A semi-honest third-party who assists two parties in implementing the protocol is assumed in our protocol. Furthermore, we use the entanglement correlations of the maximally entangled seven-qubit state and collaborative computing between parties for privacy protection, and we use quantum key distribution (QKD) to ensure the security of the cooperative computing when two parties are in different locations. What is more, we show that the security towards both outsider and insider attacks can be guaranteed.