Discrete Event Simulation of the quantum channel within a Quantum Key Distribution system

Abstract

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is a technology that offers the means for two geographically separated parties to create a shared, unconditionally secure, secret key. QKD is unique in its ability to detect any third-party eavesdropping on the key exchange. While QKD technology offers promise for securing military communications, QKD systems are built using non-ideal components that differ significantly from ideal theoretical implementations. For this reason, there is a need to accurately and efficiently model and simulate different QKD system configurations in order to evaluate their security and performance characteristics. In this paper, we examine two competing ways of modeling a quantum channel within a QKD system: one treats photon packets as wave packets and the other simply as particles with no regard to wave equations. The performance statistics of these simulation models, including speed, memory, and accuracy, are compared with the physical solution and each other to determine the optimal model for use in the specific context of modeling and simulation of QKD systems. The results reveal that the wave packet method, while being approximately 110 times slower than the particle method for modeling single photons, provides the most accurate simulation protocol required for modeling and simulation of QKD systems.