Quantum key distribution using multilevel encoding: security analysis

We propose an extension of quantum key distribution based on encoding the key into quNits, i.e. quantum states in an N-dimensional Hilbert space. We estimate both the mutual information between the legitimate parties and the eavesdropper, and the error rate, as a function of the dimension of the Hilbert space. We derive the information gained by an eavesdropper using optimal incoherent attacks and an upper bound on the legitimate party error rate that ensures unconditional security when the eavesdropper uses finite coherent eavesdropping attacks. We also consider realistic systems where we assume that the detector dark count probability is not negligible. PACS numbers: 03.67.Dd, 03.67.Hk, 03.67.−a, 03.65.Ta