Efficient quantum key distribution with practical sources and detectors

Abstract

We consider the security of a system of quantum key distribution (QKD) using only practical devices. Currently, attenuated laser pulses are widely used and considered to be the most practical light source. For the receiver of photons, threshold (or on/off) photon detectors are almost the only choice. Combining the decoy-state idea and the security argument based on the uncertainty principle, we show that a QKD system composed of such practical devices can achieve the unconditional security without any significant penalty in the key rate and the distance limitation.