We’re pleased to announce that nodeQ is directly involved in a major scientific publication that explores one of the most advanced approaches to secure quantum communication: Continuous-Variable Measurement-Device-Independent Quantum Key Distribution (CV-MDI-QKD).

The paper, titled “An Overview of CV-MDI-QKD”, is available open access via arXiv and has been published in the prestigious journal Reports on Progress in Physics. It provides a comprehensive review of the protocol, its theoretical underpinnings, and its experimental progress. This publication reflects our continued commitment to shaping the future of secure, quantum-resilient networks.

What Is CV-MDI-QKD?

As the global technology ecosystem prepares for the impact of quantum computing, securing information transfer has become a critical priority. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is one of the leading strategies for ensuring forward-secure communications in a post-quantum world.

CV-MDI-QKD merges two powerful innovations:

• Continuous Variables (CV): Leveraging coherent states of light and standard telecom components, CV systems support scalable, high-rate quantum communication.
• Measurement-Device Independence (MDI): This architecture eliminates the need to trust detection devices—closing major side-channel vulnerabilities and enabling secure communication even with untrusted relays.

The result is a protocol that delivers high key rates over metropolitan-scale distances with minimal reliance on specialized hardware—making it a highly practical candidate for future quantum-secure networks.

About the Publication

This peer-reviewed review article brings together leading researchers from the University of York, Manchester Metropolitan University, the Technical University of Denmark, and nodeQ.

It presents the current state of CV-MDI-QKD, covering:

• Protocol fundamentals and its evolution from earlier QKD models
• Security analysis, including both asymptotic and finite-size composable security proofs
• Rate-distance performance under various configurations and channel conditions
• Post-selection techniques that significantly enhance performance over longer distances
• Network extensions, including star networks and quantum conferencing use cases
• A detailed review of experimental implementations across fiber and free-space setups

This is the most comprehensive resource to date on CV-MDI-QKD and serves as a roadmap for researchers and engineers building quantum-resilient infrastructure.

nodeQ’s Role

nodeQ researchers contributed directly to the development of this review, offering expertise in protocol analysis, security modeling, and practical implementation scenarios. Our involvement is part of a broader mission: to translate cutting-edge quantum communication research into real-world, deployable technologies.

Why This Matters

With the advent of quantum computing, the security of today’s cryptographic infrastructure is at risk. CV-MDI-QKD represents a promising and scalable solution for securing communication in:

• Enterprise and government local area networks (LANs)
• Data centers and financial networks requiring high throughput
• Quantum-safe critical infrastructure, where trustless communication is paramount

As this technology continues to mature, nodeQ is positioned to lead its integration into modern networks—ensuring both security and operational efficiency.

Read the Full Publication

Title: An Overview of CV-MDI-QKD Authors: Fletcher, Harney, Ghalaii, Papanastasiou, Mountogiannakis, Spedalieri, Hajomer, Gehring, Pirandola

Affiliations: University of York, Technical University of Denmark, Manchester Metropolitan University, and nodeQ

Published version: Rep. Prog. Phys. 88, 084001(2025)

Read the full paper on arXiv (free access)

Stay Connected

This is just one of many ways nodeQ is actively contributing to the future of quantum communications. Follow us for more insights, technical updates, and announcements as we help shape the next generation of secure networking.

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