Continuous-variable quantum digital signatures that can withstand coherent attacks

Abstract

Quantum digital signatures (QDSs), which utilize correlated bit strings among sender and recipients, guarantee the authenticity, integrity, and nonrepudiation of classical messages based on quantum laws. Continuous-variable (CV) quantum protocol with heterodyne and homodyne measurement has obvious advantages of low-cost implementation and easy wavelength division multiplexing. However, security analyses in previous researches are limited to the proof against collective attacks in finite-size scenarios. Moreover, existing multibit CV QDS schemes have primarily focused on adapting single-bit protocols for simplicity of security proof, often sacrificing signature efficiency. Here, we introduce a CV QDS protocol designed to withstand general coherent attacks through the use of a cutting-edge fidelity test function, while achieving high signature efficiency by employing a refined one-time universal hashing signing technique. Our protocol is proved to be robust against finite-size effects and excess noise in quantum channels. In simulation, results demonstrate a significant reduction of eight orders of magnitude in signature length for a megabit message signing task compared with existing CV QDS protocols and this advantage expands as the message size grows. Our work offers a solution with enhanced security and efficiency, paving the way for large-scale deployment of CV QDSs in future quantum networks.