Strengthening security and noise resistance in one-way quantum key distribution protocols through hypercube-based quantum walks

2026-02-26

AI Summary

This work addresses the insufficient security of conventional unidirectional quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols under realistic noise conditions. We propose a novel unidirectional QKD protocol by introducing hypercube topology into discrete-time quantum walks, where security is intrinsically guaranteed by the topological structure itself. To facilitate systematic evaluation, we develop an extensible, open-source simulation framework based on Qiskit that supports diverse topologies and realistic noise models. Experimental results demonstrate that, under identical parameters, the hypercube topology significantly enhances both security and noise resilience compared to the ring topology. Our approach establishes a new paradigm for topology-driven QKD design and promotes reproducible research in the field.

Technology Category

• Machine Learning: Quantum Machine Learning
• Search and Optimization: Distributed Search
• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Scheduling under Uncertainty

Application Category

• Security and Privacy: Large-scale security measurements
• Graph Algorithms and Modeling for the Web: Querying, indexing, and retrieval in Web-related graphs
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Incentives in network design for Web infrastructures and ecosystems

Abstract

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a foundational cryptographic protocol that ensures information-theoretic security. However, classical protocols such as BB84, though favored for their simplicity, offer limited resistance to eavesdropping, and perform poorly under realistic noise conditions. Recent research has explored the use of discrete-time Quantum Walks (QWs) to enhance QKD schemes. In this work, we specifically focus on a one-way QKD protocol, where security depends exclusively on the underlying Quantum Walk (QW) topology, rather than the details of the protocol itself. Our paper introduces a novel protocol based on QWs over a hypercube topology and demonstrates that, under identical parameters, it provides significantly enhanced security and noise resistance compared to the circular topology (i.e., state-of-the-art), thereby strengthening protection against eavesdropping. Furthermore, we introduce an efficient and extensible simulation framework for one-way QKD protocols based on QWs, supporting both circular and hypercube topologies. Implemented with IBM's software development kit for quantum computing (i.e., Qiskit), our toolkit enables noise-aware analysis under realistic noise models. To support reproducibility and future developments, we release our entire simulation framework as open-source. This contribution establishes a foundation for the design of topology-aware QKD protocols that combine enhanced noise tolerance with topologically driven security.

Problem

• Quantum Key Distribution
• noise resistance
• eavesdropping
• quantum walks
• security

Innovation

• quantum key distribution
• quantum walks
• hypercube topology
• noise resistance
• topology-driven security