Quantum Entanglement-Based Secure Key Distribution with Hardware-Level Error Correction
Jincheng Zhang
Abstract
This paper proposes a novel quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol designed to mitigate the vulnerabilities associated with hardware imperfections commonly encountered in existing QKD systems. The core of the approach lies in utilizing entangled photon pairs for key generation, coupled with a sophisticated hardware-level error correction mechanism. This mechanism employs concatenated quantum codes to actively address and correct errors introduced during transmission, thereby bolstering the security and resilience of the key distribution process. We demonstrate a framework where the inherent probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics is directly confronted, rather than relying solely on post-processing techniques. The proposed system offers a significant advancement toward practical, robust QKD implementations, paving the way for more secure communication networks in the quantum era. The effectiveness of the scheme is analyzed through mathematical models, specifically focusing on the error correction performance and key generation rates. The results highlight the potential for achieving high key rates while maintaining strong security against various attack scenarios.