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Quantum Key Distribution

An Introduction with Exercises

  • Provides a detailed introduction to quantum key distribution protocols and security proofs
  • Includes examples and exercises for reader comprehension
  • Discusses state-of-the-art applications of quantum key distribution

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Physics (LNP, volume 988)

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Table of contents (7 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xi
  2. Introduction

    • Ramona Wolf
    Pages 1-12
  3. Mathematical Tools

    • Ramona Wolf
    Pages 13-52
  4. Information and Entropies

    • Ramona Wolf
    Pages 53-89
  5. Quantum Key Distribution Protocols

    • Ramona Wolf
    Pages 91-116
  6. Security Analysis

    • Ramona Wolf
    Pages 117-157
  7. Device-Independent QKD

    • Ramona Wolf
    Pages 159-182
  8. Recent Developments in Practical QKD

    • Ramona Wolf
    Pages 183-217
  9. Back Matter

    Pages 219-229

About this book

This textbook introduces the non-specialist reader to the concepts of quantum key distribution and presents an overview of state-of-the-art quantum communication protocols and applications. The field of quantum cryptography has advanced rapidly in the previous years, not least because with the age of quantum computing drawing closer, traditional encryption methods are at risk.

The textbook presents the necessary mathematical tools without assuming much background, making it accessible to readers without experience in quantum information theory. In particular, the topic of classical and quantum entropies is presented in great detail. Furthermore, the author discusses the different types of quantum key distribution protocols and explains several tools for proving the security of these protocols. In addition, a number of applications of quantum key distribution are discussed, demonstrating its value to state-of-the-art cryptography and communication.

This book leads the reader through the mathematical background with a variety of worked-out examples and exercises. It is primarily targeted at graduate students and advanced undergraduates in theoretical physics. The presented material is largely self-contained and only basic knowledge in quantum mechanics and linear algebra is required.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Institute for Theoretical Physics, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

    Ramona Wolf

About the author

Ramona Wolf is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Quantum Information Theory group at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, working on quantum cryptography. She has obtained her PhD in Physics at Leibniz University Hanover, Germany. She has gained a lot of teaching experience by being a tutor for several courses in theoretical physics and also teaching a full course on quantum key distribution. She has published a number of articles in peer-reviewed academic journals and supervised several Bachelor and Master projects.

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Quantum Key Distribution

  • Book Subtitle: An Introduction with Exercises

  • Authors: Ramona Wolf

  • Series Title: Lecture Notes in Physics

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-73991-1

  • Publisher: Springer Cham

  • eBook Packages: Physics and Astronomy, Physics and Astronomy (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-73990-4Published: 05 August 2021

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-73991-1Published: 04 August 2021

  • Series ISSN: 0075-8450

  • Series E-ISSN: 1616-6361

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XI, 229

  • Number of Illustrations: 25 b/w illustrations, 31 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Quantum Physics, Data Structures and Information Theory, Systems and Data Security

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 34.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 44.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access