Security loophole induced by photorefractive effect in continuous-variable quantum key distribution system
Zehao Zhou, Peng Huang, Tao Wang, Guihua Zeng · Optics Express · 2025
Modulators based on the Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) structure are widely used in continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CVQKD) systems. MZI-based variable optical attenuator (VOA) and amplitude modulator can reshape the waveform and control the intensity of the coherent state signal to realize secret key information modulation in the CVQKD system. However, these devices are not ideal; internal and external effects like non-linear effects and temperature may degrade their performance. In this paper, we analyzed the security loophole of CVQKD under the photorefractive effect (PE), which originates from the crystal characteristics of lithium niobate (LN). It is found that the refractive index change of modulators because of PE may lead to an overestimate or underestimate of the final secret key rate. This allows Eve to perform further attacks like intercept-resend to get more secret key information. To solve this problem, several countermeasures are proposed, which can effectively eliminate potential risks.