Quantum key distribution apparatus and method with enhanced security and reduced trust requirements

摘要

The QKD system used to securely exchange the encryption key between the emitter 100 and the receiver 200 is modified to allow additional customization parameters. The QKD system may comprise a QKD transmitter 120 and a QKD receiver 220 to implement a plurality of QKD protocols forming a protocol family. The QKD transmitter 120 and receiver 220 coupled through a quantum channel 500 are comprised of optical and electronic components adapted to generate and detect a qubit stream. The qubit 520 exchanged through the quantum channel 500 is grouped into a block 510 having at least one qubit and a length L _i (511). For each block 510 of the qubit 520, one of the QKD protocols 530 selected from the protocol family may be implemented using the emitter 100 and the transmitter 200 used.