Key rate of quantum key distribution with hashed two-way classical communication

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new two-way classical communication protocol for quantum key distribution that improves key rates over existing methods across various error rates, enhancing QKD efficiency.

Contribution

It presents a novel information reconciliation protocol that increases key rates in BB84 and six-state QKD protocols, with clarified relations to existing protocols.

Findings

Higher key rates than previous protocols across many error rates

Applicable to BB84 and six-state protocols

Clarifies relation to entanglement distillation protocols

Abstract

We propose an information reconciliation protocol that uses two-way classical communication. In the case of the BB84 protocol and the six-state protocol, the key rates of the quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols that use our proposed information reconciliation protocol are higher than previously known protocols for wide range of error rates. We also clarify the relation between the proposed protocol and known QKD protocols, and the relation between the proposed protocol and entanglement distillation protocols (EDPs).