Evaluation of adaptive reconciliation protocols for CV-QKD using systematic polar codes

Abstract

Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a secure cryptographic technology that enables two authenticated parties to share secret keys. Information reconciliation is an essential step in continuous-variable quantum key distribution (CV-QKD) protocols, which affects both the complexity and performance of the system. This paper reviews adaptive reconciliation protocols, and also proposes a new efficient scheme using systematic polar codes. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme can significantly increase reconciliation efficiency and reduce the overall computational complexity by reducing the average number of retransmissions, without significant reduction in effective secret key length.