Fast Convergent and Secure Key Distribution Protocols Using a Dual-Quantum Channel

This dissertation presents three new quantum key distribution protocols over a dual quantum-channel to enhance the convergence speed of the key distribution process. The proposed protocols effectively use a dual-quantum channel between the communicating entities and, when combined with the proposed selection of the basis, improve the efficiency of the key distribution process as well as deter Eve. With the use of an initialization vector, one of the proposed protocols does not necessitate information exchange about the bases between Alice and Bob, and further eliminates the requirement of the availability of a two-way conventional channel. Simultaneously, it allows the detection of the presence of Eve in real time and proposes several effective defense mechanisms to frustrate Eve's attack