Quantum computation has achieved a tremendous success during the last decades. In this paper, we investigate the potential application of a famous quantum computation model, i.e., quantum walks (QW) in image encryption. It is found that QW can serve as an excellent key generator thanks to its inherent nonlinear chaotic dynamic behavior. Furthermore, we construct a novel QW-based image encryption algorithm. Simulations and performance comparisons show that the proposal is secure enough for image encryption and outperforms prior works. It also opens the door towards introducing quantum computation into image encryption and promotes the convergence between quantum computation and image processing.
Quantum computation has achieved a tremendous success during the last decades. In this paper, we investigate the potential application of a famous quantum computation model, i.e., quantum walks (QW) in image encryption. It is found that QW can serve as an excellent key generator thanks to its inherent nonlinear chaotic dynamic behavior. Furthermore, we construct a novel QW-based image encryption algorithm. Simulations and performance comparisons show that the proposal is secure enough for image encryption and outperforms prior works. It also opens the door towards introducing quantum computation into image encryption and promotes the convergence between quantum computation and image processing.
Quantum information and quantum computation have achieved a huge success during the last years. In this paper, we investigate the capability of quantum Hash function, which can be constructed by subtly modifying quantum walks, a famous quantum computation model. It is found that quantum Hash function can act as a hash function for the privacy amplification process of quantum key distribution systems with higher security. As a byproduct, quantum Hash function can also be used for pseudo-random number generation due to its inherent chaotic dynamics. Further we discuss the application of quantum Hash function to image encryption and propose a novel image encryption algorithm. Numerical simulations and performance comparisons show that quantum Hash function is eligible for privacy amplification in quantum key distribution, pseudo-random number generation and image encryption in terms of various hash tests and randomness tests. It extends the scope of application of quantum computation and quantum information.
An electroencephalogram (EEG) based image encryption combined with Quantum walks (QW) is encoded in Fresnel domain. The computational version of EEG randomizes the original plaintext whereas QW can serve as an excellent key generator due to its inherent nonlinear chaotic dynamic behavior. First, a spatially coherent monochromatic laser beam passes through an SLM, which introduces an arbitrary EEG phase-only mask. The modified beam is collected by a CCD. Further, the intensity is multiply with the QW digitally. EEG shows high sensitivity to system parameters and capable of encrypting and transmitting the data whereas QW has unpredictability, stability and non-periodicity. Only applying the correct keys, the original image can be retrieved successfully. Simulations and comparisons show the proposed method to be secure enough for image encryption and outperforms prior works. The proposed method opens the door towards introducing EEG and quantum computation into image encryption and promotes the convergence between our approach and image processing.
Quantum computing poses an unparalleled threat to the conventional methodologies of image encryption through its capability for mathematical-based security breaking. This paper discusses the integration of chaos theory with quantum mechanics in the development of robust algorithms for image encryption, considering the inherent vulnerabilities of classical approaches. We start with the basics of chaos theory and its implications in cryptography, emphasizing sensitivity regarding initial conditions and the unpredictability of chaotic systems. Then, we reviewed some of the existing quantum image encryption techniques and their limitations. Our analysis elucidates the potential of chaos-driven quantum algorithms for key generation and image scrambling to enhance security metrics such as key sensitivity, entropy, and unpredictability. We further discuss the performance of such algorithms in resistance against different attack vectors and their application domains, including healthcare, military, and digital rights management. The paper concludes by pointing out the directions of future research, hence calling for further development of sophisticated chaotic maps to integrate them into practical quantum image encryption solutions. The study points out that chaos-based quantum image encryption has strong potential to defend against evolving cyber threats.
Internet of Things acts an essential role in our everyday lives and it definitely has the potential to grow on the importance and revolutionize our future. However, the present communication technologies have several security related issues which is required to provide secure end to end connectivity among services. Moreover, due to recent, rapid growth of quantum technologies, most common security mechanisms considered secure today may be soon imperilled. Thus, the modern security mechanisms during their construction also require the power of quantum technologies to resist various potential attacks from quantum computers. Because of its characteristics, quantum walks (QW) is considered as a universal quantum computation paradigm that can be accepted as an excellent key generator. In this regard, in this paper a new lightweight image encryption scheme based on QW for secure data transfer in the internet of things platforms and wireless networking with edge computing is proposed. The introduced approach utilises the power of nonlinear dynamic behaviour of QW to construct permutation boxes and generates pseudo-random numbers for encrypting the plain image after dividing it into blocks. The results of the conducted simulation and numerical analyses confirm that the presented encryption algorithm is effective. The encrypted images have randomness properties, no useful data about the ciphered image can be obtained via analysing the correlation of adjacent pixels. Moreover, the entropy value is close to 8, the number of the pixel change rate is greater than 99.61%, and there is high sensitivity of the key parameters with large key space to resist various attacks.
Abstract The rapid development of quantum computing poses a serious threat to traditional encryption technologies, especially in the field of image security, where existing encryption schemes struggle to withstand quantum attacks. Therefore, quantum image encryption research is crucial. In the field of quantum image encryption, keys with high randomness and high security are essential. To address the issue of insufficient randomness in quantum walks in low-dimensional spaces, this paper proposes two solutions: the high-dimensional quantum walk paradigm and the entropy-increasing circuit. The high-dimensional quantum walk paradigm enhances the complexity of random sequences by expanding the dimensions of quantum walks, while the entropy-increasing circuit boosts the entropy of the key through quantum operations, thereby improving its randomness and resistance to attacks. To verify the random performance of the entropy-increased key, it is applied to quantum image encryption, with the specific circuit implementation of the encryption process provided. Finally, experimental analysis demonstrates the security of the algorithm.
In this study, a powerful representation of Quantum Images (PRQI) is proposed to represent images in quantum computers. The color information can be stored in either phase or amplitude, which is powerful for Quantum Image Compression (QIC) and Quantum Image Encryption (QIE). The construction process begins with a pure state on which several operations are applied to generate the expected quantum state. This advantage makes the method more flexible compared with other methods. To evaluate the lossless compression performance, the quantum compression ratio is employed as a standard. Furthermore, to explore the potential of the new method, a novel quantum image encryption method based on quantum chaotic Baker map and random phase mask is discussed. Supported by detailed numeric simulations and analysis, the new method provides a more efficient and secure way to transmit quantum information. In conclusion, PRQI opens a door not only to express quantum images but also to explore practical aspects of quantum image processing.