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Least significant qubit algorithm for quantum images

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Abstract

To study the feasibility of the classical image least significant bit (LSB) information hiding algorithm on quantum computer, a least significant qubit (LSQb) information hiding algorithm of quantum image is proposed. In this paper, we focus on a novel quantum representation for color digital images (NCQI). Firstly, by designing the three qubits comparator and unitary operators, the reasonability and feasibility of LSQb based on NCQI are presented. Then, the concrete LSQb information hiding algorithm is proposed, which can realize the aim of embedding the secret qubits into the least significant qubits of RGB channels of quantum cover image. Quantum circuit of the LSQb information hiding algorithm is also illustrated. Furthermore, the secrets extracting algorithm and circuit are illustrated through utilizing control-swap gates. The two merits of our algorithm are: (1) it is absolutely blind and (2) when extracting secret binary qubits, it does not need any quantum measurement operation or any other help from classical computer. Finally, simulation and comparative analysis show the performance of our algorithm.

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Acknowledgments

This work is supported by the National Science Foundation of China (Grant Numbers: 61471141, 61301099, 61361166006), and Basic Research Project of Shenzhen, China (Grant Numbers: JCYJ20150513151706561). We deeply thanks the previous researchers’ work about NEQR. Thanks are due to many anonymous reviewers for their assistance with the discussion about the designed three qubits comparator and the quantum measurement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China

    Jianzhi Sang, Shen Wang & Qiong Li

Authors
  1. Jianzhi Sang
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  2. Shen Wang
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  3. Qiong Li
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Correspondence to Jianzhi Sang or Qiong Li.

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Sang, J., Wang, S. & Li, Q. Least significant qubit algorithm for quantum images. Quantum Inf Process 15, 4441–4460 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11128-016-1411-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11128-016-1411-z

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