"Quantum" key distribution using weak classical light waves

Abstract

The detection of very weak classical electromagnetic (light) waves by classical macroscopic device is discussed. It is shown that the results of such detection can be interpreted as a manifestation of the quantum properties of radiation, although in reality they are related to the peculiarities of the interaction of weak classical electromagnetic waves with discrete atoms. We show that the "quantum" key distribution protocol can be realized using very weak classical light waves and avalanche detectors, and it possesses all the properties of the quantum cryptographic protocol E91 which based on entangled photons.