A Model and Simulation Framework for Studying Implementation Non-Idealities in Quantum Key Distribution Systems

POSTER ABSTRACT—Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) is an innovative technology which exploits the laws of quantum mechanics to generate and distribute unconditionally secure shared key for use in cryptographic applications. While QKD offers the promise of unconditionally secure key distribution, real world systems are built from non-ideal components which necessitates the need to understand the impact these non-idealities have system performance and security. In this work, we present the QKD modeling framework, qkdX, which facilitates the efficient modeling, simulation, and analysis of QKD systems, protocols, and components. The qkdX framework allows developers to more easily study the impact of implementation non-idealities on system performance and security, examine complex interactions between physical phenomenon and system-level behaviors, assess practical design tradeoffs, and experiment with current, future, and notional QKD architectures. Two system-level models are presented to demonstrate the capability of the framework to study QKD systems.