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arXiv:2410.01172 · Chinese Physics B

Proof-of-principle experimental demonstration of quantum secure imaging based on quantum key distribution

Yibo Zhao, Wanli Zhang, Dong Wang, Xiaotian Song, Liangjiang Zhou, Chibiao Ding

Published Aug 27, 2019• 10 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We present a quantum secure imaging (QSI) scheme based on the phase encoding and weak+vacuum decoy-state BB84 protocol of quantum key distribution (QKD). It allows us to implement a computational ghost imaging (CGI) system with more simplified equipment and reconstructed algorithm by using a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) to preset the specific spatial distribution of the light intensity. What is more, the quantum bit error rate (QBER) and the secure key rate analytical functions of QKD are used to see through the intercept-resend jamming attacks and ensure the authenticity of the imaging information. In the experiment, we obtained the image of the object quickly and efficiently by measuring the signal photon counts with a single-photon detector (SPD), and achieved a secure key rate of 571.0 bps and a secure QBER of 3.99%, which is well below the lower bound of QBER of 14.51%. Besides, our imaging system uses a laser with invisible wavelength of 1550 nm, whose intensity is as low as single-photon, that can realize weak-light imaging and is immune to the stray light or air turbulence, thus it will become a better choice for quantum security radar against intercept-resend jamming attacks.

DOI
10.1088/1674-1056/ab3e66

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We present a quantum secure imaging (QSI) scheme based on the phase encoding and weak+vacuum decoy-state BB84 protocol of quantum key distribution (QKD). It allows us to implement a computational ghost imaging (CGI) system with more simplified equipment and reconstructed algorithm by using a digital micro-mirror device (DMD) to preset the specific spatial distribution of the light intensity. What is more, the quantum bit error rate (QBER) and the secure key rate analytical functions of QKD are used to see through the intercept-resend jamming attacks and ensure the authenticity of the imaging information. In the experiment, we obtained the image of the object quickly and efficiently by measuring the signal photon counts with a single-photon detector (SPD), and achieved a secure key rate of 571.0 bps and a secure QBER of 3.99%, which is well below the lower bound of QBER of 14.51%. Besides, our imaging system uses a laser with invisible wavelength of 1550 nm, whose intensity is as low as single-photon, that can realize weak-light imaging and is immune to the stray light or air turbulence, thus it will become a better choice for quantum security radar against intercept-resend jamming attacks.
Spontaneous parametric down-conversion heralded single photon pairs (HSPS) are utilized in quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum imaging (QI) experiments. Decoy state methods enhance security in these fields. HSPS is well-suited for integrating QKD protocols, reducing measurement uncertainty, and ensuring secure quantum imaging. This study examines the performance of the HSPS-decoy state method for quantum imaging under various conditions, focusing on secure key rate and Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER) for free space applications. We specifically investigate the HSPS within the BB84 decoy state protocol for secure quantum imaging in free space. The dark count rate significantly impacts QBER, affecting the maximum tolerable loss. Low-efficiency, low-noise detectors can outperform high-efficiency, high-noise detectors, highlighting the importance of minimizing dark counts for optimal system performance.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a potential defense against future quantum attacks that can break traditional encryption algorithms, such as RSA and ECC. The current work is based on the development of the BB84 protocol with the features of utilizing quantum mechanics and eavesdropping detection through signal disturbance. A simulation of the BB84 protocol was built using polarization encoding over a 10 km single-mode optical fiber using OptiSystem software. The system consists of standard telecom equipment, such as a continuous wave laser at a frequency of 193.1 THz, polarization controllers, and single-photon detectors. Both secure and insecure cases were simulated, where an attacker (Eve) had used an intercept-resend attack. The outcome showed significant Bit Error Rate (BER) and Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER) increases during attacks, thus proving the protocol's vulnerability to interference. In addition, a special intrusion detection system based on BER was used to identify such anomalies in real-time. The simulation illustrates the feasibility of using QKD in today's optical networks to secure communications.
Computational ghost imaging (CGI) is a method of acquiring object information by measuring light field intensity, which would be used to achieve imaging in a complicated environment. The main issue to be addressed in CGI technology is how to achieve rapid and high-quality imaging while assuring the secure transmission of detection data in practical distant imaging applications. In order to address the mentioned issues, this paper proposes a remote secure CGI method based on quantum communication technology. Using the quantum key distribution (QKD) network, the CGI system can be reconstructed while solving the problem of information security transmission between the detector and the reconstructed computing device. By exploring the influence of different random measurement matrices on the quality of image reconstruction, it is found that the randomness of the numerical sequence constituting the matrix is positively correlated with the imaging quality. Based on this discovery, a new type of quantum cryptography measurement matrix is constructed using quantum cryptography with good randomness. In addition, through further orthogonalization and normalization of the matrix, the matrix has both good randomness and orthogonality, and high-quality imaging results can be obtained at a low sampling rate. The feasibility and effectiveness of the method are verified by simulation imaging experiments. Compared with the traditional GI system, the method proposed in this paper has higher transmission security and high-quality imaging under this premise, which provides a new idea for the practical development of CGI technology.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) promises provably secure communications. In order to improve the secret key rate, combining a biased basis choice with the decoy-state method is proposed. Concomitantly, there is a basis-independent detection efficiency condition, which usually cannot be satisfied in a practical system, such as the time-phase encoding. Fortunately, this flaw has been recently removed theoretically and experimentally in the four-intensity decoy-state BB84 QKD protocol using the fact that the expected yields of single-photon states prepared in two bases stay the same for a given measurement basis. However, the security proofs do not fully consider the finite-key effects for general attacks. In this work, we provide the rigorous finite-key security bounds in the universally composable framework for the four-intensity decoy-state BB84 QKD protocol. We build a time-phase encoding system with 200 MHz clock to implement this protocol, in which the real-time secret key rate is more than 60 kbps over 50 km single-mode fiber.
With the increasing importance of securing quantum communication networks, practical and robust entity authentication is a critical requirement. Accordingly, we propose and experimentally validate a quantum entity authentication (QEA) protocol specifically designed for integration with BB84-type quantum key distribution (QKD) workflows and existing terminal architectures. We analyze the protocol's security against intercept-resend man-in-the-middle (MitM) impersonation, showing that an unauthenticated adversary induces a characteristic 25% correlation error and that the rejection probability approaches unity as the number of detected authentication events increases. For practical realization, the protocol is deployed using weak coherent pulses (WCPs) with decoy-state estimation to bound single-photon contributions and mitigate photon-number-splitting (PNS)-enabled leakage. The system is demonstrated over a field-deployed fiber link of approximately 20 km with ~8 dB optical loss using signal/decoy intensities of ~0.5/~0.15 and sending probabilities 0.88/0.10/0.02 (signal/decoy/vacuum). Across both verification directions, stable operation is observed with quantum bit error rate (QBER) typically fluctuating between 1% and 4% while the sifted key rate remains constant over time. These results provide an experimental basis for integrating physical-layer entity authentication into deployed quantum communication networks.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is increasingly recognized as a robust solution to the vulnerabilities posed by quantum computing to classical encryption systems. This paper presents a comprehensive investigation of the BB84 protocol, the foundational QKD scheme, through simulated quantum communication using IBM’s Qiskit framework. The study models quantum key exchange under both ideal and adversarial conditions, including channel noise and intercept-resend attacks. The Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER) was measured as a function of noise intensity and eavesdropping, confirming that QBER increases predictably in compromised channels. A threshold of 11% QBER was used to determine the viability of secure key generation. Final key retention rates were analyzed across multiple channel scenarios, revealing BB84’s sensitivity to both photon loss and adversarial interference.\n\nSecurity vulnerabilities such as photon-number-splitting and detector blinding were assessed, and countermeasures including decoy-state protocols and authenticated classical channels were proposed. Four key performance graphs were generated to visualize system behavior under realistic operational conditions. The results support BB84’s theoretical advantage in ensuring information-theoretic security while acknowledging real-world limitations in transmission range and hardware reliability. The paper concludes by addressing future improvements in QKD systems, including satellite-based distribution, quantum repeaters, and device-independent implementations. Through simulation-driven analysis, this study validates BB84 as a practical defense against quantum-enabled attacks and underscores the need for continued development and standardization in post-quantum cryptographic infrastructure.