Course: Quantum Cryptography

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Course title Quantum Cryptography
Course code OPT/QCR
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Exercise
Level of course Master
Year of study 2
Semester Winter
Number of ECTS credits 5
Language of instruction English
Status of course Compulsory-optional
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Usenko Vladyslav, Dr. Ph.D.
  • Derkach Ivan Dmitrovič, Mgr.
Course content
1. Classical cryptography, symmetrical and asymmetrical cryptosystems, mathematical complexity, quantum key distribution. Epsilon-security, authentication, quantum secret growing. 2. Discrete variables, non-cloning theorem, Bell inequalities. 3. Discrete-variable protocols: BB84, E91, modifications, information post-processing. 4. Classical information theory: discrete variables; Security analysis, QBER, individual/collective attacks. 5. Practical implementations: decoy-state, plug-and-play. 6. Practical issues: sources, channels, detectors, quantum hacking. 7. Continuous variables, Gaussian states, coherent-state protocol, squeezed-state protocol, entanglement-based implementation. 8. Classical information theory: continuous variables. Quantum capacity. Security analysis of continuous-variable protocols: individual/collective attacks, extremality of Gaussian states. 9. Practical issues: attenuation, noise, side-channels. 10. Realistic post-processing, finite-size effects. 11. Perspectives: secure quantum computing, quantum networking, repeaters, device-independent security.

Learning activities and teaching methods
unspecified
Learning outcomes
Postgraduate course on quantum cryptography. Students will learn the following topics: motivation and basic principles of quantum cryptography, information-theoretical versus practical security, types of eavesdropping attacks, protocols based on discrete and continuous variables, basics of composable security, device-independence, security analysis in finite-size regime, and perspectives.
Subject focused on the acquisition of knowledge. Define the main ideas and describe the main principles, demonstrate theoretical knowledge for solving the model tasks in the field of quantum cryptography.
Prerequisites
Knowledge of quantum physics and optics at the level of master study of physics.

Assessment methods and criteria
unspecified
Active participation in classes, demonstration of knowledge of quantum cryptography within the contents of the course.
Recommended literature
  • G. Van Assche. (2006). Quantum Cryptography and Secret-Key Distillation.
  • Ch. Weedbrook, S. Pirandola, R. García-Patrón, N. J. Cerf, T. C. Ralph, J. H. Shapiro, and S. Lloyd. (2012). Gaussian quantum information.
  • M. Dušek, N. Lütkenhaus, M. Hendrych. (2006). Quantum Cryptography.
  • M.A. Nielsen, I.L. Chuang. (2000). Quantum Computation and Quantum Information.
  • N. Gisin, G. Ribordy, W. Tittel, and H. Zbinden. (2002). Quantum cryptography.
  • S. Pirandola, U. L. Andersen, L. Banchi, M. Berta, D. Bunandar, R. Colbeck, D. Englund, T. Gehring, C. Lupo, C. Ottaviani, J. L. Pereira, M. Razavi, J. Shamsul Shaari, M. Tomamichel, V. C. Usenko, G. Vallone, P. Villoresi, and P. Wallden. Advances in quantum cryptography. 2020, ISSN 1943-8206.
  • V. C. Usenko, A. Acín, R. Alléaume, U. L. Andersen, E. Diamanti, T. Gehring, A. A.E. Hajomer, F. Kanitschar, C. Pacher, S. Pirandola, V. Pruneri. Continuous-variable quantum communication. 2026, ISSN 1539-0756.
  • V. Scarani, H. Bechmann-Pasquinucci, N. J. Cerf, M. Dušek, N. Lütkenhaus, and M. Peev. (2009). The security of practical quantum key distribution.


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester
Faculty: Faculty of Science Study plan (Version): Optics and Optoelectronics (2021) Category: Physics courses 2 Recommended year of study:2, Recommended semester: Winter