HT-ADA: Scalable Hierarchical-Tree Quantum Key Distribution with Adaptive Optimization and Entropy-Enhanced Security

HT-ADA: Scalable Hierarchical-Tree Quantum Key Distribution with Adaptive Optimization and Entropy-Enhanced Security | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article HT-ADA: Scalable Hierarchical-Tree Quantum Key Distribution with Adaptive Optimization and Entropy-Enhanced Security khaled Berkani This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8491202/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted 7 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Traditional QKD protocols limit scalability in multi-user networks due topoint-to-point designs and static decoy states. We propose HT-ADA, a novel hierarchical tree quantum key distribution protocol integrating per-link adaptive decoy allocation (ADA), Hoeffding-bound eavesdropper detection, and entropy-based key analysis within a composable security framework. HT-ADA distributes secure keys across multi-node tree networks, dynamically adjusting decoy probabilities to optimize detection sensitivity while minimizing communication overhead. Numerical simulations under realistic fiber-based noise (2%) and attack conditions (Eve strength 0.1-0.3) demonstrate 99% detection rates, near-ideal entropy (0.999 bits), and 2.7× higher key rates compared to static-decoy schemes across 8-32 node networks. HT-ADA provides a scalable, composable framework for future quantumnetworks with experimentally realistic parameters. Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Composable Security Multi User Quantum Communication Hierarchical Tree Networks Adaptive Decoy States Eavesdropper Detection Quantum Bit Error Rate (QBER) Entropy Based Security Privacy Amplification Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Revision Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 24 Apr, 2026 Reviews received at journal 26 Mar, 2026 Reviewers agreed at journal 08 Mar, 2026 Reviewers invited by journal 04 Feb, 2026 Editor assigned by journal 30 Jan, 2026 Submission checks completed at journal 03 Jan, 2026 First submitted to journal 31 Dec, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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