A survey on quantum cryptography

Quantum cryptography (QC) as an im portant technology to protect the security of the futur network communication, has gained extensive attentio from both academia and industry in recent years. This pa per provides a concise up-to-date review of QC, includin Quantum key distribution (QKD), Quantum authentica tion, Quantum public-key cryptography (QPKC), and s on. Our aim is to pave a comprehensive and solid startin ground for interested readers. We firstly clarify the defini tion of QC. Secondly, we present the current understandin of QC from different levels, including the basic knowledg of quantum information processing, QC protocols and th attacks in QC. Finally, we discuss the challenges and op portunities in this hopeful field.