Security analysis of unidimensional continuous-variable quantum key distribution with discretized amplitude modulation

Abstract Unidimensional continuous variable quantum key distribution (UD-CVQKD) applies Gaussian modulation on one single quadrature of the coherent state. However, in practical experimentations, the finite resolution of modulator driving voltages will result in Gaussian modulation discretization. To investigate its impact on the security of UD-CVQKD, the discretization of amplitude modulation is modeled and analyzed, with the secret key rate formulated against entangling cloner attack. Simulation results demonstrate that despite the performance degradation, UD-CVQKD protocol with discretized amplitude modulation may relax the restriction on correlation parameters to extend the secure region under certain parameters, which can be beneficial to the practicability of UD-CVQKD.