How many sessions of quantum key distribution are allowed from the first launch to the next restart of the system?

Abstract

Quantum cryptography systems are systems for extending the initial start key, which is required at the start of the system, to ensure information-theoretic authentication of messages in the classical communication channel. In subsequent sessions, a quantum key is generated, part of which is used for authentication in subsequent sessions. There is a fundamental question for quantum cryptography—how many sessions of quantum key distribution (QKD) can be held until the cryptographic properties of the quantum keys are reached a critical level, after which they can no longer be used for cryptographic purposes, and a new restart of the quantum cryptography system will be required. An explicit expression of the allowable number of sessions of quantum key distribution is obtained. It is shown that for the real parameters of the system, it is possible for the system to work almost indefinitely until the next initialization.