Semi-quantum cryptography communication stipulates that the quantum user has complete quantum capabilities, and the classical user has limited quantum capabilities, only being able to perform the following operations: (1) measuring and preparing qubits with a Z basis and (2) returning qubits without any processing. Secret sharing requires participants to work together to obtain complete secret information, which ensures the security of the secret information. In the semi-quantum secret sharing (SQSS) protocol, the quantum user Alice divides the secret information into two parts and gives them to two classical participants. Only when they cooperate can they obtain Alice’s original secret information. The quantum states with multiple degrees of freedom (DoFs) are defined as hyper-entangled states. Based on the hyper-entangled single-photon states, an efficient SQSS protocol is proposed. The security analysis proves that the protocol can effectively resist well-known attacks. Compared with the existing protocols, this protocol uses hyper-entangled states to expand the channel capacity. The transmission efficiency is 100% higher than that of single-degree-of-freedom (DoF) single-photon states, providing an innovative scheme for the design of the SQSS protocol in quantum communication networks. This research also provides a theoretical basis for the practical application of semi-quantum cryptography communication.

The idea of semi-quantum communication protocols provides a theoretical solution for the high costs of quantum resources. In this study, we propose an efficient semi-quantum key distribution protocol that allows Alice and quantum-capable restricted Bob to establish a secure key. Then, we demonstrate that the protocol is information-theoretic secure in the asymptotic scenario. As long as the channel noise is less than the noise tolerance of the protocol, Alice and Bob can withdraw a secure key. The proposed protocol has advantages over previous protocols regarding qubit efficiency and communication cost. Besides, our efficiency analysis is more fair and practical because noise factors are taken into account. Based on these features, it may have potential applications in future quantum communications.