A Contextuality Based Quantum Key Distribution Protocol

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum key distribution protocol leveraging single qubit contextuality, providing security based on contextuality measures, and claims advantages over BB84, including higher key rates and immunity to detector attacks.

Contribution

The paper proposes a novel QKD protocol using contextuality measures derived from weak values, enhancing security and efficiency over existing protocols.

Findings

Key rate is comparable or greater than BB84.

Protocol is immune to detector-based attacks.

Utilizes POVMs to demonstrate qubit contextuality.

Abstract

In this article we present a new prepare and measure quantum key distribution protocol that uses an experimentally accessible measure of single qubit contextuality to warranty the security of the quantum channel. The definition of contextuality used is that due to Spekkens in which any underlying hidden variable model of the physical system is noncontextual if the probability distribution of the model's hidden variables is independent of the preparation and measurement context. Under this more general definition of noncontextuality the measurement outcomes of a single qubit can be shown to require a contextual model in order to reproduce the results of some non-projective, positive operator valued measurements (POVMs). The proposed protocol utilizes a particular set of POVMs to exhibit the degree of contextuality of the qubits exiting the QKD system's quantum channel. The contextuality measure is defined in terms of the weak values of a set of projective measurements that are implemented as POVMs using weak measurements. The resulting QKD protocol should have a key rate that is equal to or greater than BB84 since none of the sifted key is used to test for the presence of an eavesdropper. Additionally, the new protocol is shown to be immune to detector based attacks.