A High-Dimensional Quantum Blockchain Protocol Based on Time- Entanglement
Aktaş, Arzu, Yılmaz, İhsan
TL;DR
The paper tackles the vulnerability of classical blockchains to quantum attacks by proposing a quantum blockchain that derives security from quantum correlations, specifically time-entangled high-dimensional Bell states. It introduces a two-phase protocol: (i) private/public key generation via high-dimensional Bell-state measurements and entanglement swapping, and (ii) distributed messaging and validation using time-ordered measurements and identities. Key contributions include a generalized $N$-dimensional time-entangled encoding scheme, per-block key generation from local measurements, and a distributed, tamper-detecting validation framework with a four-block illustrative example. The work highlights increased information capacity per carrier (up to $\log_2 N$ qubits) and enhanced noise resilience, supporting scalable, quantum-secure blockchain architectures for future quantum networks.
Abstract
Rapid advancements in quantum computing and machine learning threaten the long-term security of classical blockchain systems, whose protection mechanisms largely rely on computational difficulties. In this study, we propose a quantum blockchain protocol whose protection mechanism is directly derived from quantum mechanical principles. The protocol combines high-dimensional Bell states, time-entanglement, entanglement switching, and high-dimensional superdense coding. Encoding classical block information into time-delimited qudit states allows block identity and data verification to be implemented through the causal sequencing of quantum measurements instead of cryptographic hash functions. High-dimensional coding increases the information capacity per quantum carrier and improves noise resistance. Time-entanglement provides distributed authentication, non-repudiation, and tamper detection across the blockchain. Each block derives its own public-private key pair directly from the observed quantum correlations by performing high-dimensional Bell state measurements in successive time steps. Because these keys are dependent on the time ordering of measurements, attempts to alter block data or disrupt the protocol's timing structure inevitably affect the reconstructed correlations and are revealed during validation. Recent advances in the creation and detection of high-dimensional time-slice entanglement demonstrate that the necessary quantum resources are compatible with emerging quantum communication platforms. Taken together, these considerations suggest that the proposed framework can be evaluated as a viable and scalable candidate for quantum-secure blockchain architectures in future quantum network environments.