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We propose a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) quantum key distribution (QKD) scheme for terahertz (THz) frequency applications operating at room temperature. Motivated by classical MIMO communications, a transmit-receive beamforming scheme is proposed that converts the rank-$r$ MIMO channel between Alice and Bob into $r$ parallel lossy quantum channels. Compared with existing single-antenna QKD schemes, we demonstrate that the MIMO QKD scheme leads to performance improvements by increasing the secret key rate and extending the transmission distance. Our simulation results show that multiple antennas are necessary to overcome the high free-space path loss at THz frequencies. We demonstrate a non-monotonic relation between performance and frequency, and reveal that positive key rates are achievable in the $10-30$ THz frequency range. The proposed scheme can be used for both indoor and outdoor QKD applications for beyond fifth-generation ultra-secure wireless communications systems.
Terahertz (THz) communication is a topic of much research in the context of high-capacity next-generation wireless networks. Quantum communication is also a topic of intensive research, most recently in the context of space-based deployments. In this work we explore the use of THz frequencies as a means to achieve quantum communication within a constellation of micro-satellites in Low-Earth-Orbit (LEO). Quantum communication between the micro-satellite constellation and high-altitude terrestrial stations is also investigated. Our work demonstrates that THz quantum entanglement distribution and THz quantum key distribution are viable deployment options in the micro-satellite context. We discuss how such deployment opens up the possibility for simpler integration of global quantum and wireless networks. The possibility of using THz frequencies for quantum-radar applications in the context of LEO deployments is briefly discussed.
Quantum key distribution (QKD) enables unconditionally secure communication between distinct parties using a quantum channel and an authentic public channel. Reducing the portion of quantum-generated secret keys, that is consumed during the authentication procedure, is of significant importance for improving the performance of QKD systems. In the present work, we develop a lightweight authentication protocol for QKD based on a `ping-pong scheme of authenticity check for QKD. An important feature of this scheme is that the only one authentication tag is generated and transmitted during each of the QKD post-processing rounds. For the tag generation purpose, we design an unconditionally secure procedure based on the concept of key recycling. The procedure is based on the combination of almost universal$_2$ polynomial hashing, XOR universal$_2$ Toeplitz hashing, and one-time pad (OTP) encryption. We demonstrate how to minimize both the length of the recycled key and the size of the authentication key, that is required for OTP encryption. As a result, in real case scenarios, the portion of quantum-generated secret keys that is consumed for the authentication purposes is below 1%. Finally, we provide a security analysis of the full quantum key growing process in the framework of universally composable security.
Terahertz (THz) communications have been envisioned as a promising enabler to provide ultra-high data transmission for sixth generation (6G) wireless networks. To tackle the blockage vulnerability brought by severe path attenuation and poor diffraction of THz waves, an intelligent reflecting surface (IRS) is put forward to smartly control the incident THz waves by adjusting the phase shifts. In this paper, we firstly design an efficient hardware structure of graphene-based IRS with phase response up to 306.82 degrees. Subsequently, to characterize the capacity of the IRS-enabled THz multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system, an adaptive gradient descent (A-GD) algorithm is developed by dynamically updating the step size during the iterative process, which is determined by the second-order Taylor expansion formulation. In contrast with conventional gradient descent (C-GD) algorithm with fixed step size, the A-GD algorithm evidently improves the achievable rate performance. However, both A-GD algorithm and C-GD algorithm inherit the unacceptable complexity. Then a low complexity alternating optimization (AO) algorithm is proposed by alternately optimizing the precoding matrix by a column-by-column (CBC) algorithm and the phase shift matrix of the IRS by a linear search algorithm. Ultimately, the numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the designed hardware structure and the considered algorithms.
Digital signatures are widely used for providing security of communications. At the same time, the security of currently deployed digital signature protocols is based on unproven computational assumptions. An efficient way to ensure an unconditional (information-theoretic) security of communication is to use quantum key distribution (QKD), whose security is based on laws of quantum mechanics. In this work, we develop an unconditionally secure signatures (USS) scheme that guarantees authenticity and transferability of arbitrary length messages in a QKD network. In the proposed setup, the QKD network consists of two subnetworks: (i) the internal network that includes the signer and with limitation on the number of malicious nodes, and (ii) the external one that has no assumptions on the number of malicious nodes. A price of the absence of the trust assumption in the external subnetwork is a necessity of the assistance from internal subnetwork recipients for the verification of message-signature pairs by external subnetwork recipients. We provide a comprehensive security analysis of the developed scheme, perform an optimization of the scheme parameters with respect to the secret key consumption, and demonstrate that the developed scheme is compatible with the capabilities of currently available QKD devices.
Two-qubit quantum codes have been suggested to obtain better efficiency and higher loss tolerance in quantum key distribution. Here, we propose a two-qubit quantum key distribution protocol based on a mixed basis consisting of two Bell states and two states from the computational basis. All states can be generated from a single entangled photon pair resource by using local operations on only one auxiliary photon. Compared to other schemes it is also possible to deterministically discriminate all states using linear optics. Additionally, our protocol can be implemented with todays technology. When discussing the security of our protocol we find a much improved resistance against certain attacks as compared to the standard BB84 protocol.