Quantum cryptography

Quantum cryptography offers protocols whose security can be proven directly from information-theoretic principles and the laws of quantum mechanics, and which do not rely on any assumptions about the computational resources available to an adversary. We have achieved pioneering advances in quantum secure communication. In Stockholm, we were the first to demonstrate quantum key distribution (QKD) at 1550 nm over 40 km. We later proposed new high-dimensional QKD protocols with full security analysis against quantum computers. We developed and patented novel secret sharing methods, including the first experimental single-qubit five-party scheme, and demonstrated multi-user QKD over optical fiber. Our work introduced quantum authentication protocols and fault-tolerant multiparty solutions with recent optical fiber implementations. We also conducted security tests, exposing vulnerabilities in QKD systems using avalanche photodetectors, enabling undetectable attacks. Finally, our contributions to quantum random number generation, including a Bell inequality–based QRNG, gained international recognition for enhancing online security.
Selected publications
- Finite-size security analysis for quantum protocols: A Python framework using the Entropy Accumulation Theorem with graphical interface, P. Mironowicz, M. Bourennane, arXiv preprint arXiv:2506.18888 (2025)
- Optimization of experimental quantum randomness expansion, A. Piveteau, A . Seguinard, P. Mironowicz, M. Bourennane, arXiv preprint arXiv:2411.04934 (2024)
- Generalized measurements on qubits in quantum randomness certification and expansion, P. Mironowicz, M. Grünfeld, M. Bourennane, Physical Review Applied 22 (4), 044041 (2024)
- Experimental certification of more than one bit of quantum randomness in the two inputs and two outputs scenario, A.J.M. Seguinard, A. Piveteau, P. Mironowicz, M. Bourennane, New Journal of Physics 25 (11), 113022 (2023)
- Experimental quantum solution to the dining cryptographers problem, A. Hameedi, B. Marques, S. Muhammad, M. Wiesniak, M. Bourennane, arXiv preprint arXiv:1702.01984 (2017)
- Secret sharing with a single-level quantum system, A. Tavakoli, I. Herbauts, M. Żukowski, M. Bourennane, Physical Review A 92 (3), 030302 (2015)
- Contextuality offers device-independent security, K. Horodecki, M. Horodecki, P. Horodecki, R. Horodecki, M. Pawlowski, M. Bourennane, arXiv preprint arXiv:1006.0468 (2010)
- Birefringence compensation in Sagnac and its quantum communication applications, J. Bogdanski, J. Ahrens, M. Bourennane, Quantum Communications and Quantum Imaging VII 7465, 161-174 (2009)
- Sagnac quantum key distribution over telecom fiber networks, J. Bogdanski, J. Ahrens, M. Bourennane, Optics Communications 282 (6), 1231-1236 (2009)
- Single mode fiber birefringence compensation in Sagnac and “plug & play” interferometric setups, J. Bogdanski, J. Ahrens, M. Bourennane, Optics Express 17 (6), 4485-4494 (2009)
- Sagnac quantum key distribution and secret sharing, J. Bogdanski, J. Ahrens, M. Bourennane, Quantum Communications Realized II 7236, 120-127 (2009)
- Sagnac secret sharing over telecom fiber networks, J. Bogdanski, J. Ahrens, M. Bourennane, Optics Express 17 (2), 1055-1063 (2009)
- Multiuser quantum key distribution over telecom fiber networks, J. Bogdanski, N. Rafiei, M. Bourennane, Optics Communications 282 (2), 258-262 (2009)
- Experimental quantum secret sharing using telecommunication fiber, J. Bogdanski, N. Rafiei, M. Bourennane, Physical Review A 78 (6), 062307 (2008)
- Five-user QKD over switched fiber networks, J. Bogdanski, N. Rafiei, M. Bourennane, Quantum Communications and Quantum Imaging VI 7092, 123-130 (2008)
- Experimental Demonstration of a Quantum Protocol for Byzantine Agreement and Liar Detection, S. Gaertner, M. Bourennane, C. Kurtsiefer, A. Cabello, H. Weinfurter, Physical Review Letters 100 (7), 070504 (2008)
- Schmid et al. Reply:, C. Schmid, P. Trojek, M. Bourennane, C. Kurtsiefer, M. Żukowski, H. Weinfurter, Physical Review Letters 98 (2), 028902 (2007)
- Experimental demonstration of four-party quantum secret sharing, S. Gaertner, C. Kurtsiefer, M. Bourennane, H. Weinfurter, Physical Review Letters 98 (2), 020503 (2007)
- Experimental Single Qubit Quantum Multiparty Communication, M. Bourennane, C. Schmid, P. Trojek, C. Kurtsiefer, Č. Brukner, M. Żukowski, Quantum Communication and Security, 22-30 (2007)
- Experimental quantum secret sharing, C. Schmid, P. Trojek, S. Gaertner, M. Bourennane, C. Kurtsiefer, M. Zukowski, H. Weinfurter, Fortschritte der Physik: Progress of Physics 54 (8‐10), 831-839 (2006)
- Experimental single qubit quantum secret sharing, C. Schmid, P. Trojek, S. Gaertner, M. Bourennane, C. Kurtsiefer, M. Zukowski, H. Weinfurter, Physical Review Letters 95 (23), 230505 (2005)
- Quantum key distribution using multilevel encoding: security analysis, M. Bourennane, A. Karlsson, G. Björk, N. Gisin, N.J. Cerf, Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and General 35 (47), 10065 (2002)
- Security of Quantum Key Distribution Using d-Level Systems, N.J. Cerf, M. Bourennane, A. Karlsson, N. Gisin, Physical Review Letters 88 (12), 127902 (2002)
- Quantum key distribution using multilevel encoding, M. Bourennane, A. Karlsson, G. Björk, Physical Review A 64 (1), 012306 (2001)
- Authority-based user authentication in quantum key distribution, D. Ljunggren, M. Bourennane, A. Karlsson, Physical Review A 62 (2), 022305 (2000)
- Experimental long wavelength quantum cryptography: from single-photon transmission to key extraction protocols, M. Bourennane, D. Ljunggren, A. Karlsson, P. Jonsson, A. Hening, J.P. Ciscar, Journal of Modern Optics 47 (2-3), 563-579 (2000)
- Experiments on long wavelength (1550nm) “plug and play” quantum cryptography systems, M. Bourennane, F. Gibson, A. Karlsson, A. Hening, P. Jonsson, T. Tsegaye, D. Ljunggren, E. Sundberg, Optics Express 4 (10), 383-387 (1999)