Utilizing IBM Qiskit to create a quantum circuit and noise model with Pypho fiber optic-based simulation within the BB84 protocol to recreate an experimental setup with realistic noise.
Abstract As quantum computing continues to demonstrate its potential to break through existing cryptographic systems, quantum key distribution (QKD) provides a novel approach to protect communications in the post-quantum era, but presents complex challenges in terms of research and widespread adoption. Although the resource-intensive nature of QKD setups limits experimental studies to specialized laboratories, we present an end-to-end simulation that models photon generation, transmission, and detection, thereby lowering the barrier to testing hypotheses regarding experimental setups under realistic conditions. In this study, a fiber optic-based simulation was utilized along with a quantum circuit and a detailed noise model within the BB84 protocol to recreate an experimental setup. Our BB84 simulation retained ≈50% of transmitted bits after sifting, matching the experimental expectations, and produced quantum bit error rate (QBER) values that rose with increasing channel length. Our model incorporates customizable noise, such as multi-photon emissions and channel disturbances, directly into the key exchange process, yielding QBER values of ≈4.5% at 20 km and ≈11% at 120 km, consistent with physical systems under the same conditions. Our findings support the development of QKD as a scalable solution for securing the quantum internet and future communication networks.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) provides a novel alternative to Classical Key Distribution in protecting secure communications, but poses challenges in terms of research and widespread adoption. While the resource-intensive nature of QKD setups limit experimental studies to specialized laboratories, we present an end-to-end simulation that models photon generation, transmission, and detection, thereby lowering the barrier to testing hypotheses regarding experimental setups under realistic conditions. In this study, a fiber optic-based simulation is utilized along with a quantum circuit and a detailed noise model within the BB84 protocol to recreate an experimental setup. Our BB84 simulation retained ≈50% of transmitted bits after sifting, matching the experimental expectations. Our model incorporates customizable noise, such as multi-photon emissions and channel disturbances, directly into the key exchange process, allowing for an approach that utilizes simulated fiber optics and theoretical noise models to replicate physical conditions. Our findings support the development of QKD as a scalable solution for securing the quantum internet and future communication networks.
Quantum cryptography is a practical method of secret communication that guarantees the foolproof secrecy. This paper presents the simulation for implementation of a Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocol BB84, the pioneering, and most basic and fundamental protocol. We use the quantum computing platform developed by IBM named as Qiskit for the simulation of the BB84 protocol, implementing it with and without an Eve eavesdropper for studying the relative outcomes. Recently, Qiskit is globally very popular for quantum simulations because it provide us the opportunity to simulate quantum logic circuit on classical computer as well as real quantum computers owned by IBM. As per our best knowledge, there is no any proposal published for quantum circuit by anyone for BB84 QKD. We performed experimentation on local as well as cloud simulators: 1) The "qasm_simulator" was used as local machine simulator, and 2) The "ibmqx2" simulator was used as IBM cloud quantum simulator. The outcome of local as well as IBM simulator with and without an eavesdropper, between the two parties involved in key exchange were recorded and presented in the results section.
Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) offers a revolutionary method for secure key exchange by exploiting the principles of quantum mechanics. This paper comprehensively reviews the pioneering BB84 protocol, its experimental realization using IBM's Qiskit framework, and the underlying quantum computing concepts. We detail the methodology including qubit encoding, measurement, basis reconciliation, and key sifting, and discuss performance metrics such as the Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER) and key generation rate. Experimental results obtained on IBM Quantum hardware are presented and analyzed, highlighting the robustness of the protocol and its security implications. The review underscores the importance of integrating QKD with future-proof encryption schemes in a quantum-enabled era.
Quantum computing poses significant threats to conventional cryptographic techniques such as RSA and AES, motivating the need for quantum secure communication methods. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) offers information theoretic security based on fundamental quantum principles. This paper presents a simulation-based analysis of well-known QKD protocols, namely BB84, B92, and E91, using the IBM Qiskit framework. Realistic quantum channel effects, including noise, decoherence, and eavesdropping, are modeled to evaluate protocol performance. Key metrics such as error rate, secret key generation, and security characteristics are analyzed and compared. The study highlights practical challenges in QKD implementation, including hardware limitations and channel losses, and discusses insights toward scalable and robust quantum communication systems. The results support the feasibility of QKD as a promising solution for secure communication in the quantum era.
The verification of the intricate interaction between a series of quantum error correction techniques and a quantum key distribution scheme also known as BB84, through the IBM Quantum Experience as a simulator, allows for a detailed verification of the immunity of the proposed system to errors and noise. The interaction between the error correction techniques and the scheme BB84 gives rise to a critical verification of their combined impact. The result not only validates the strength of the system, but also makes a big step toward a deeper understanding of how many-protection is required at its best for being efficient schemes of quantum communication. They also analyze the combined strategies, it is showed that these strategies can be used to enhance QKD. It is also significant for practical applications to remove uncertainty and noise. This work provides a reference for the quantum communication application, and supplements to quantum information security literature.