A comparison between prepare-and-measure and entanglement-based protocols

Abstract

Quantum key distribution uses special purpose hardware and quantum mechanics to distribute cryptographic keys in a system for its usage in a classical symmetric key scheme for encryption and decryption. There are two appeals for going to such length of creating special hardware and utilizing quantum mechanics to distribute keys over parties. First, detecting eavesdropping on communication due to the fundamental properties of photons governed by quantum mechanics. Second, offering a solution to the byproduct effect of quantum computers breaking the most common asymmetric schemes (Transport Layer Protocol). In this research paper, prepare-and-measure and entanglement-based protocols are compared on an implementation level to understand the various components and the context in which they are utilized. Keywords: Quantum Key Distribution Protocols, Quantum Computers, Quantum Information Theory, Prepare-and-measure protocols, Entanglement-based protocols, Quantum Security, Quantum Mechanics, Calderbank-Shor-Steane, Causer-Horne-Shimony-Holt.