A Hands-On Quantum Cryptography Workshop For Pre-University Students

Abstract

We developed a modified version of a conventional (BB84) quantum key distribution protocol that can be understood and implemented by students at a pre-university level. We intentionally introduce a subtle but critical simplification to the original protocol, allowing the experiment to be assembled at the skill level appropriate for the students, at the cost of creating a security loophole. The security vulnerability is then exploited by student hackers, allowing the participants to think deeper about the underlying physics that makes the protocol secure in its original form.