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On the cryptographic strength of the quantum key distribution protocol based on vector optical vortices
Russian version
Reshetnikov D. D. 1, Zinatullin E. R. 1, Bashmakova E. N. 1, Baeva A. V. 1, Vashukevich E. A. 1
1St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
Email: d.reshetnikov@spbu.ru, e.r.zinatullin@mail.ru, bashmakova.elizaveta@mail.ru, alexandrabaeva@mail.ru, ashukevichea@gmail.com
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The study investigates the cryptographic security of a quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol that utilizes vector optical vortices with an axially symmetric spatial polarization profile. A theoretical analysis is presented for the protocol's resistance against two types of attacks: the receive-send attack and the incoherent symmetric attack. Special attention is given to the analysis of potential advantages an eavesdropper (Eve) may have when using quantum systems with higher-dimensional state spaces (ququarts). The analysis showed that for this QKD protocol, the critical error level for both attacks under consideration is 25%. It is demonstrated that Eve's employment of ququart strategies does not reduce this threshold or provide her with an additional benefit over qubit-based attacks. Keywords: Quantum key distribution, quantum cryptography, vector optical vortices, cryptographic strength.
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