Quantum Hash function and its application to privacy amplification in quantum key distribution, pseudo-random number generation and image encryption

• Published in: Scientific reports Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 19788
• Main Authors: Yang, Yu-Guang, Xu, Peng, Yang, Rui, Zhou, Yi-Hua, Shi, Wei-Min
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Nature Publishing Group 29.01.2016
• Subjects: Numbers; Privacy
• ISSN: 2045-2322; 2045-2322
• DOI: 10.1038/srep19788

Quantum information and quantum computation have achieved a huge success during the last years. In this paper, we investigate the capability of quantum Hash function, which can be constructed by subtly modifying quantum walks, a famous quantum computation model. It is found that quantum Hash function can act as a hash function for the privacy amplification process of quantum key distribution systems with higher security. As a byproduct, quantum Hash function can also be used for pseudo-random number generation due to its inherent chaotic dynamics. Further we discuss the application of quantum Hash function to image encryption and propose a novel image encryption algorithm. Numerical simulations and performance comparisons show that quantum Hash function is eligible for privacy amplification in quantum key distribution, pseudo-random number generation and image encryption in terms of various hash tests and randomness tests. It extends the scope of application of quantum computation and quantum information.