Quantum-based PRNG for image encryption: a comprehensive study

Abstract

Quantum computing, grounded in the principles of quantum mechanics, has ushered in a new era of intriguing possibilities and fresh scientific insights. In this document, we present an innovative algorithm tailored for the encryption and decryption of images. This algorithm harnesses the quasi-probability values extracted from each state within the quantum system, represented as | ψ 〉 . These numerical values are seamlessly integrated with conventional data to facilitate image encryption and decryption processes. Our methodology undergoes comprehensive validation and evaluation through extensive simulations performed on the IBM Qiskit Aer simulator. We subject the generated numerical sequence to rigorous statistical scrutiny using the NIST SP 800-22 suite, ensuring its authenticity and reliability. Employing a quantum system comprising 3 qubits and uniform rotation gates, our algorithm produces a dataset consisting of 41,943,040 binary digits. Additionally, we conduct a thorough assessment encompassing both visual and statistical analyses to ascertain the effectiveness and robustness of our proposed algorithm. Furthermore, we emphasize the critical importance of achieving a quasi-probability error rate of 10 − 6 for real-world implementation, highlighting the practical viability and scalability of our approach. Through comparative analysis and meticulous examination of correlation patterns, our study provides invaluable insights into the distinctive characteristics and efficacy of our encryption scheme.