Radiofrequency emanations of a single-photon detector

John Pantoja; Alfonso Tello; Dimitrios Anagnostou; J. Kirrane; M.  Stonehouse; A. Koehler-Sidki; M.  Natrella; Ross J. Donaldson

doi:10.1049/icp.2023.3271

Radiofrequency emanations of a single-photon detector

John Pantoja^*, Alfonso Tello, Dimitrios Anagnostou, J. Kirrane, M. Stonehouse, A. Koehler-Sidki, M. Natrella, Ross J. Donaldson

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

Quantum key distribution (QKD) offers the possibility of information theoretic secure key establishment. However, non-ideal behaviour of some components used in practical implementations causes security risks and loopholes that need to be addressed. Previously identified loopholes have resulted in changes to hardware and the invention of new QKD protocols. In this document, we report an investigation into the eavesdropping risk due to out-of-band radiofrequency emanations produced by a QKD receiver. We present experimental results that show a QKD receiver may produce significant pulsed-like emissions that can be detected by a passive eavesdropper antenna to identify clicks in single-photon detectors.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Quantum Engineering and Technology Conference (QET 2023)
Publisher	Institution of Engineering and Technology
Pages	55-59
Number of pages	5
ISBN (Electronic)	9781837240135
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1049/icp.2023.3271
Publication status	Published - 17 Jan 2024
Event	Quantum Engineering and Technology Conference 2023 - London, United Kingdom Duration: 30 Oct 2023 → 31 Oct 2023 https://quantumengineering.theiet.org/

Conference

Conference	Quantum Engineering and Technology Conference 2023
Abbreviated title	QET 2023
Country/Territory	United Kingdom
City	London
Period	30/10/23 → 31/10/23
Internet address	https://quantumengineering.theiet.org/

Keywords

QKD
QKD receiver
SPAD
Single-photon detector
side-band attack

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Engineering

Access to Document

10.1049/icp.2023.3271

Cite this

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title = "Radiofrequency emanations of a single-photon detector",

abstract = "Quantum key distribution (QKD) offers the possibility of information theoretic secure key establishment. However, non-ideal behaviour of some components used in practical implementations causes security risks and loopholes that need to be addressed. Previously identified loopholes have resulted in changes to hardware and the invention of new QKD protocols. In this document, we report an investigation into the eavesdropping risk due to out-of-band radiofrequency emanations produced by a QKD receiver. We present experimental results that show a QKD receiver may produce significant pulsed-like emissions that can be detected by a passive eavesdropper antenna to identify clicks in single-photon detectors.",

keywords = "QKD, QKD receiver, SPAD, Single-photon detector, side-band attack",

author = "John Pantoja and Alfonso Tello and Dimitrios Anagnostou and J. Kirrane and M. Stonehouse and A. Koehler-Sidki and M. Natrella and Donaldson, {Ross J.}",

year = "2024",

month = jan,

day = "17",

doi = "10.1049/icp.2023.3271",

language = "English",

pages = "55--59",

booktitle = "Quantum Engineering and Technology Conference (QET 2023)",

publisher = "Institution of Engineering and Technology",

address = "United Kingdom",

note = "Quantum Engineering and Technology Conference 2023, QET 2023 ; Conference date: 30-10-2023 Through 31-10-2023",

url = "https://quantumengineering.theiet.org/",

}

Pantoja, J, Tello, A, Anagnostou, D, Kirrane, J, Stonehouse, M, Koehler-Sidki, A, Natrella, M & Donaldson, RJ 2024, Radiofrequency emanations of a single-photon detector. in Quantum Engineering and Technology Conference (QET 2023). Institution of Engineering and Technology, pp. 55-59, Quantum Engineering and Technology Conference 2023, London, United Kingdom, 30/10/23. https://doi.org/10.1049/icp.2023.3271

TY - GEN

T1 - Radiofrequency emanations of a single-photon detector

AU - Pantoja, John

AU - Tello, Alfonso

AU - Anagnostou, Dimitrios

AU - Kirrane, J.

AU - Stonehouse, M.

AU - Koehler-Sidki, A.

AU - Natrella, M.

AU - Donaldson, Ross J.

PY - 2024/1/17

Y1 - 2024/1/17

N2 - Quantum key distribution (QKD) offers the possibility of information theoretic secure key establishment. However, non-ideal behaviour of some components used in practical implementations causes security risks and loopholes that need to be addressed. Previously identified loopholes have resulted in changes to hardware and the invention of new QKD protocols. In this document, we report an investigation into the eavesdropping risk due to out-of-band radiofrequency emanations produced by a QKD receiver. We present experimental results that show a QKD receiver may produce significant pulsed-like emissions that can be detected by a passive eavesdropper antenna to identify clicks in single-photon detectors.

AB - Quantum key distribution (QKD) offers the possibility of information theoretic secure key establishment. However, non-ideal behaviour of some components used in practical implementations causes security risks and loopholes that need to be addressed. Previously identified loopholes have resulted in changes to hardware and the invention of new QKD protocols. In this document, we report an investigation into the eavesdropping risk due to out-of-band radiofrequency emanations produced by a QKD receiver. We present experimental results that show a QKD receiver may produce significant pulsed-like emissions that can be detected by a passive eavesdropper antenna to identify clicks in single-photon detectors.

KW - QKD

KW - QKD receiver

KW - SPAD

KW - Single-photon detector

KW - side-band attack

UR - https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10401215

UR - https://digital-library.theiet.org/content/conferences/10.1049/icp.2023.3271

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85188312806&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1049/icp.2023.3271

DO - 10.1049/icp.2023.3271

M3 - Conference contribution

SP - 55

EP - 59

BT - Quantum Engineering and Technology Conference (QET 2023)

PB - Institution of Engineering and Technology

T2 - Quantum Engineering and Technology Conference 2023

Y2 - 30 October 2023 through 31 October 2023

ER -

Radiofrequency emanations of a single-photon detector

Abstract

Conference

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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