Quantum key distribution with classical Bob

Phys Rev Lett. 2007 Oct 5;99(14):140501. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.99.140501. Epub 2007 Oct 5.

Abstract

Secure key distribution among two remote parties is impossible when both are classical, unless some unproven computation-complexity assumptions are made, such as the difficulty of factorizing large numbers. On the other hand, a secure key distribution is possible when both parties are quantum. What is possible when only one party (Alice) is quantum, yet the other (Bob) has only classical capabilities? We present a protocol with this constraint and prove its robustness against attacks: we prove that any attempt of an adversary to obtain information necessarily induces some errors that the legitimate users could notice.