Quantum Information & Computation
Volume 25, Issue 5
RESEARCH ARTICLE Open access

Twin-Field Quantum Network Coding for Multi-Party Key Distribution

Yuchen Liu, Tao Shang, Keyu Xiong

Author affiliations
  • Yuchen Liu1
  • Tao Shang1
  • Keyu Xiong1
  1. School of Cyber Science and Technology, Beihang University, Xueyuan Road, Beijing, China ; (Y.L.);(K.X.)

pp. 488-508 · 10.2478/qic-2025-0027

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Abstract

Quantum network coding enables multi-party quantum interactions over bottleneck channels. The communication distance is usually constrained by the instability of quantum states. Twin-field quantum key distribution is designed to improve the communication distance, but it can only be applied in point-to-point scenarios. In this paper, we propose a feasible twin-field quantum network coding scheme, which enables multi-party key distribution over long distance in networks with bottleneck channels. Firstly, a butterfly network model is designed for long-distance communication. Then, the coding method at each intermediate node is designed to overcome the limitations of bottleneck channels. Finally, the key rate and decoy-state transmission features are derived to demonstrate the security and efficiency advantages. Compared with the original point-to-point twin-field quantum key distribution protocol, the proposed scheme can distribute a group key among the four end nodes of the butterfly network with only one transmission round. The key rate R and the channel transmittance η still satisfy R ∝ η1/2. Such results will extend the communication distance and provide a foundation for the construction of large-scale quantum networks.
Open accessCC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Keywords

  • quantum network coding
  • quantum key distribution
  • twin-field
  • coherent measurement

Suggested citation

Yuchen Liu, Tao Shang, Keyu Xiong (2025). Twin-Field Quantum Network Coding for Multi-Party Key Distribution. Quantum Information & Computation, 25(5), 488-508. https://doi.org/10.2478/qic-2025-0027

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