Generalized Version of the BB84 QKD Protocol with n Polarization Bases and Unequal Probabilities

Document Type : Original Article

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Abstract

Quantum key distribution (QKD) solves the problem of key generation and exchange between           cryptography parties with unconditional security guaranteed by the principles and phenomena of quantum mechanics. In the 40-year old history of quantum cryptography, several QKD protocols have been invented of which, the BB84 protocol is the most famous one, and some others such as the six-state and                 Ardehali-Chau-Lo protocols have been created by making some variations of it. In this paper, a more     general version of BB84 using 2n polarization states which create n orthogonal pairs of polarization states and n polarization bases is presented. In addition, it is assumed that distinct polarization bases are chosen with necessarily unequal probabilities. Then by studying and analyzing the new QKD protocol and its two special cases using the probability theory, they are compared with the BB84, six-state and Ardehali-Chau-Lo protocols and finally, the results are supported and confirmed by constructing four various numerical examples. The advantage of the new QKD protocol in comparison to the BB84, the six-state and             Ardehali-Chau-Lo protocols is its high flexibility in choosing the number of polarization states and the manner of probability allocation on choosing the polarization bases. By analyzing the new protocol and its two special cases using the probability theory, this advantage causes better application of knowledge for a suitable QKD protocol selection in order to realize a certain goal and exploit its technological advantages.
 

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References

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Electronic and Cyber Defense
Volume 9, Issue 1 - Serial Number 33
Serial No. 33, Spring Quarterly
April 2021
Pages 125-136

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 May 2020
  • Revise Date: 29 July 2020
  • Accept Date: 25 November 2020
  • Publish Date: 21 April 2021

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