A Hands-On Quantum Cryptography Workshop For Pre-University Students

TL;DR

This paper presents a simplified, hands-on quantum cryptography workshop for pre-university students, demonstrating a modified BB84 protocol that highlights security vulnerabilities and deepens understanding of quantum security principles.

Contribution

It introduces an accessible, educational version of the BB84 protocol that incorporates a security loophole for experiential learning, bridging complex quantum concepts and student engagement.

Findings

Students can understand and implement the simplified protocol.

The security loophole is exploited by students to illustrate vulnerabilities.

The workshop enhances comprehension of quantum security principles.

Abstract

We developed a modified version of a conventional (BB84) quantum key distribution protocol that can be understood and implemented by students at a pre-university level. We intentionally introduce a subtle but critical simplification to the original protocol, allowing the experiment to be assembled at the skill level appropriate for the students, at the cost of creating a security loophole. The security vulnerability is then exploited by student hackers, allowing the participants to think deeper about the underlying physics that makes the protocol secure in its original form.