Information-Theoretic Security Protocols for Quantum Key Distribution

Jincheng Zhang

Published Aug 28, 2026• 0 citations

Abstract

This paper investigates the design of quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols rooted in information-theoretic principles. Traditional QKD approaches often rely on the presumed computational hardness of certain mathematical problems. This work advocates for a paradigm shift, utilizing concepts such as channel capacity and mutual information to establish security guarantees directly. We explore protocols that explicitly measure and manage information flow between sender and receiver, drawing upon channel capacity to mitigate eavesdropping attempts. The core contribution lies in a framework for designing QKD protocols that are resilient to channel impairments and provide verifiable security bounds based on information-theoretic metrics. The proposed designs offer a more robust and fundamental approach to QKD security, independent of computational assumptions. We present a detailed analysis of key aspects including channel capacity limits, mutual information calculations, and the resulting security parameters.

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.22137242

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