High-efficient quantum key distribution based on hybrid entanglement

Gregor Weihs

Naim Ajlouni, Abdelrahman Almassri, Rasha Ragheb Atallah

Abstract Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a cornerstone of next-generation cryptographic technologies, offering unparalleled security by utilizing the principles of quantum mechanics. However, practical implementations of QKD face significant challenges, including inefficiencies in key generation, susceptibility to noise, and vulnerabilities to eavesdropping. This work addresses these challenges by proposing a machine learning (ML)-driven approach to optimize QKD protocols, focusing on enhancing both efficiency and security. In this work it is intended to evaluate three advanced protocols Adaptive, Entanglement-Based, and Hybrid under varying conditions such as key length, noise levels, and channel stability. The ML models will include ensemble learning models namely Random Forest and XGBoost, the models will analyze the impact of key parameters on protocol performance and predict efficiency with high accuracy. The results reveal that the Adaptive protocol significantly outperforms the Entanglement-Based and Hybrid protocols, achieving an efficiency of up to 0.80 for a key length of 2500 bits, compared to 0.24 for the Entanglement-Based protocol and 0.26 for the Hybrid protocol. The Adaptive protocol also demonstrates superior detection probability (ranging from 0.84 to 0.85) and a higher probability of detecting eavesdropping (ranging from 0.43 to 0.45). Furthermore, correlation analysis shows a strong positive relationship (r = 0.9985) between key length and efficiency for the Adaptive protocol, highlighting its scalability. In contrast, the Entanglement-Based protocol shows consistent but lower performance across all metrics, while the Hybrid protocol offers a compromise but remains less efficient than the Adaptive protocol. By integrating ML with quantum cryptography, this work bridges the gap between theoretical advancements and practical implementations, providing a scalable framework for optimizing QKD systems in real-world applications. The findings underscore the importance of protocol design and optimization in achieving secure and efficient quantum communication, paving the way for the quantum internet of the future.

Xiongfeng Ma, Chi‐Hang Fred Fung, Hoi‐Kwong Lo

Yahia Hasan Jazyah

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) represents a revolutionary advancement in secure communication. It leverages principles of quantum mechanics to establish cryptographic keys between parties with theoretically unbreakable security. Among the various QKD protocols, BB84 (Bennett and Brassard, 1984) and Twin-Field QKD are prominent due to their foundational simplicity and advanced key generation efficiency, respectively. The BB84 protocol, as the first QKD protocol, uses quantum bits (qubits) in different bases to securely generate shared keys, while Twin-Field QKD enhances the key generation rate by exploiting quantum interference between distant entangled states, making it more suitable for long-distance communication. This work explores the integration of BB84 and Twin-Field QKD into a hybrid algorithm, aiming at combining the robustness of BB84 with the high key generation rate and entropy of Twin-Field QKD. The hybrid algorithm alternates between the two protocols, leveraging their individual strengths to optimize key generation performance. Simulation results indicate that the hybrid algorithm can effectively balance the robustness and simplicity of BB84 with the high efficiency and entropy of Twin-Field QKD. Specifically, the hybrid algorithm demonstrated an error rate of 8.9%, a key generation rate of 50%, and an entropy of 0.999 bits, which outperforms the compared algorithms.

Abel C. H. Chen

Yuan Tian, Jian Li, Kaiguo Yuan +3 more

Quantum key distribution cannot satisfy some users without quantum capability, so semi-quantum key distribution emerges as the times required. Semi-quantum key distribution protocol is described as Alice has quantum ability to prepare and measure qubits with an arbitrary basis, while Bob only measures qubits with the computational basis or reflects qubits to Alice. However, most existing semi-quantum key distribution protocols have been performed with low eavesdropping detection probability. In this paper, we present an innovative semi-quantum key distribution protocol with high efficiency based on EPR and single-particle hybridization, in which the specific contents of {\scriptsize CTRL} or {\scriptsize SIFT} operations have been newly defined. Then, the security analysis indicates the proposed protocol is asymptotically secure with more high eavesdropping detection probability against individual eavesdropping attacks. Moreover, the efficiency analysis shows that the presented protocol is more efficient than similar literatures.