Two-way quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols can provide positive secret key rates for considerably higher quantum bit error rates (QBER) than one-way protocols. However, when QBER is low, only modest key rate gains have been achieved. This is one of the major obstacles for using two-way protocols. In this paper we introduce a new two-way QKD protocol which is a step towards overcoming this shortcoming. Under the assumption that the eavesdropper can only perform individual symmetric quantum attacks, our protocol performs quantum key distribution with a secret key rate that is higher than the information theoretical bound limiting the performance of any one-way protocol. This holds true also for very low QBER values.
Two-way quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols can provide positive secret key rates for considerably higher quantum bit error rates (QBER) than one-way protocols. However, when QBER is low, only modest key rate gains have been achieved. This is one of the major obstacles for using two-way protocols. In this paper we introduce a new two-way QKD protocol which is a step towards overcoming this shortcoming. Under the assumption that the eavesdropper can only perform individual symmetric quantum attacks, our protocol performs quantum key distribution with a secret key rate that is higher than the information theoretical bound limiting the performance of any one-way protocol. This holds true also for very low QBER values.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) allows two remote users to establish a secret key in the presence of an eavesdropper. The users share quantum states prepared in two mutually unbiased bases: one to generate the key while the other monitors the presence of the eavesdropper. Here, we show that a general d-dimension QKD system can be secured by transmitting only a subset of the monitoring states. In particular, we find that there is no loss in the secure key rate when dropping one of the monitoring states. Furthermore, it is possible to use only a single monitoring state if the quantum bit error rates are low enough. We apply our formalism to an experimental d=4 time-phase QKD system, where only one monitoring state is transmitted, and obtain a secret key rate of $17.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.8$ Mbits/s at a 4 dB channel loss and with a quantum bit error rate of $0.045\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.001$ and $0.037\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.001$ in time and phase bases, respectively, which is 58.4% of the secret key rate that can be achieved with the full setup. This ratio can be increased, potentially up to 100%, if the error rates in time and phase basis are reduced. Our results demonstrate that it is possible to substantially simplify the design of high-dimensional QKD systems, including those that use the spatial or temporal degrees of freedom of the photon, and still outperform qubit-based (d=2) protocols.
We investigate the resilience to noise of single-qubit quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols in the scenario of security against independent eavesdropping attacks and key distillation based on one-way classical communication. To this end, we introduce a noise-based metric that quantifies the efficiency of QKD protocols. Within this framework, we analyze the maximal noise levels that allow Alice and Bob to asymptotically establish a secure secret key. Using this assumption, we compare the noise tolerance of general single-qubit QKD protocols, in particular the BB84, B92, E91, and six-state protocols. Our main result determines the noise level threshold for QKD allowing one to distill an asymptotically secure secret key. Additionally, we demonstrate that the six-state protocol achieves the greatest resistance to noise while simultaneously yielding a higher post-selection efficiency than the other analyzed single-qubit protocols, confirming its robustness within the considered security model. Finally, we perform an analysis of the proposed noise-based metric and the conventional quantum bit error rate (QBER) metric.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) allows two legitimate parties to establish a secret key with informationtheoretic security. However, existing protocols have a very low noise tolerance, limiting their deployment in practical quantum channels with finite resources. We propose a novel QKD protocol based on entanglement swapping that achieves higher noise tolerance and improved key rates. In the proposed protocol, a six-bit symbol is encoded in a six-qubit state formed by randomly grouping the state into three pairs to form three Bell states. The proposed protocol maintains a positive secrecy rate for eavesdropper interception probabilities approaching 100 % under the intercept-and-resend attack model, significantly outperforming existing protocols in the literature.
Employing the fundamental laws of quantum physics, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) promises the unconditionally secure distribution of cryptographic keys. However, in practical realisations, a QKD protocol is only secure, when the quantum bit error rate introduced by an eavesdropper unavoidably exceeds the system error rate. This condition guarantees that an eavesdropper cannot disguise his presence by simply replacing the original transmission line with a less faulty one. Unfortunately, this condition also limits the possible distance between the communicating parties, Alice and Bob, to a few hundred kilometers. To overcome this problem, we design a QKD protocol which allows Alice and Bob to distinguish system errors from eavesdropping errors. If they are able to identify the origin of their errors, they can detect eavesdropping even when the system error rate exceeds the eavesdropping error rate. To achieve this, the proposed protocol employs an alternative encoding of information in two-dimensional photon states. Errors manifest themselves as quantum bit and as index transmission errors with a distinct correlation between them in case of intercept-resend eavesdropping. As a result, Alice and Bob can tolerate lower eavesdropping and higher system error rates without compromising their privacy.
The current public key infrastructure (pki) encryption/decryption methods are still vulnerable to attacks. The main issue is, the public key algorithm suffers no effective solutions which are natural within particular integer factorization, distinct logarithm and also elliptic curve interactions. It might be computationally possible for an individual to create public and private key set computationally for attacking purposes. The current single channel quantum key distribution (qkd) technique suffers high quantum bit error rates (qber) in the presence of eavesdropping attacks. Therefore this high error rate needs to be reduced for better security using two channels qkd. With the current emergence of quantum computers many security algorithm that could take classical computer years to break could now be broken in matter of seconds. Therefore stronger quantum cryptography is needed for high security networking. This paper is proposed to provide a way for solving the key transmission issues using qkd, as a new method, by providing two quantum channels to improve qber. In addition also to develop an algorithm for integrating pki and qkd in solving the secrete key sharing issues in grid environment. The research methodology will require the use of qkd devices to be placed at the end of the sender and the receiver nodes for quantum channel secrete key sharing. The outcome of the research shall provide highly enhanced network cryptography mechanism for cyber security.
Quantum cryptography is a well-stated field within quantum applications where quantum information is used to set secure communications, authentication, and secret keys. Now used in quantum devices with those purposes, particularly Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), which proposes a secret key between two parties free of effective eavesdropping, at least at a higher level than classical cryptography. The best-known quantum protocol to securely share a secret key is the BB84 one. Other protocols have been proposed as adaptations of it. Most of them are based on the quantum indeterminacy for non-orthogonal quantum states. Their security is commonly based on the large length of the key. In the current work, a BB84-like procedure for QKD based on double quantum teleportation allows the sharing of the key statement using several parties. Thus, the quantum bits of information are assembled among three parties via entanglement, instead of travelling through a unique quantum channel as in the traditional protocol. Asymmetry in the double teleportation plus post-measurement retains the secrecy in the process. Despite requiring more complex control and resources, the procedure dramatically reduces the probability of success for an eavesdropper under individual attacks, because of the ignorance of the processing times in the procedure. Quantum Bit Error Rate remains in the acceptable threshold and it becomes configurable. The article depicts the double quantum teleportation procedure, the associated control to introduce the QKD scheme, the analysis of individual attacks performed by an eavesdropper, and a brief comparison with other protocols.