EEG based image encryption via quantum walks.

Area of Science:

• Optics and Information Security
• Quantum Computing Applications

Background:

• Image encryption is crucial for data security.
• Traditional methods face challenges in security and efficiency.
• Quantum walks (QW) offer unique properties for cryptographic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a secure and efficient image encryption technique.
• To leverage the chaotic dynamics of QW and the sensitivity of EEG for encryption.
• To explore the integration of quantum computation with image processing for enhanced security.

Main Methods:

• Encoding an electroencephalogram (EEG) based image encryption in the Fresnel domain.
• Utilizing computational EEG for randomizing the plaintext image.
• Employing Quantum Walks (QW) as a nonlinear chaotic key generator.
• Implementing the encryption using a Spatial Light Modulator (SLM) and a CCD camera.
• Multiplying the modified beam intensity with the QW digitally.

Main Results:

• The proposed method demonstrates high sensitivity to system parameters.
• EEG facilitates data encryption and transmission.
• QW provides unpredictability, stability, and non-periodicity for key generation.
• Successful retrieval of the original image is achieved only with correct keys.
• Simulations confirm the method's security and superior performance compared to prior works.

Conclusions:

• The combined EEG and QW approach offers a robust solution for secure image encryption.
• This method paves the way for integrating EEG and quantum computation into image encryption.
• The study highlights the potential for convergence between quantum computation and image processing techniques.