Koehler-Sidki, A., Dynes, J. F., Lucamarini, M. orcid.org/0000-0002-7351-4622 et al. (4 more authors) (2018) Best-Practice Criteria for Practical Security of Self-Differencing Avalanche Photodiode Detectors in Quantum Key Distribution. Physical Review Applied. 044027. ISSN 2331-7019
Abstract
Fast-gated avalanche photodiodes (APDs) are the most commonly used single photon detectors for high-bit-rate quantum key distribution (QKD). Their robustness against external attacks is crucial to the overall security of a QKD system, or even an entire QKD network. We investigate the behavior of a gigahertz-gated, self-differencing (In,Ga)As APD under strong illumination, a tactic Eve often uses to bring detectors under her control. Our experiment and modeling reveal that the negative feedback by the photocurrent safeguards the detector from being blinded through reducing its avalanche probability and/or strengthening the capacitive response. Based on this finding, we propose a set of best-practice criteria for designing and operating fast-gated APD detectors to ensure their practical security in QKD.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2018 American Physical Society. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher’s self-archiving policy. Further copying may not be permitted; contact the publisher for details |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Sciences (York) > Physics (York) |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 27 Oct 2020 15:00 |
Last Modified: | 17 Oct 2024 23:58 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevApplied.9.044027 |
Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1103/PhysRevApplied.9.044027 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:167288 |
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Filename: PhysRevApplied.9.044027.pdf
Description: PhysRevApplied.9.044027