Image Encryption Using Chaos and Quantum Gates
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24054/rcta.v1i47.4270Keywords:
chaotic mapping, cryptography, encryption, information security, quantum computing, quantum-inspired cryptographyAbstract
This article presents a new encryption algorithm for color and grayscale images based on the principles of quantum mechanics and chaos theory. The following were used for the diffusion stage: the quantum logistic hyperchaotic map, two prime numbers of 15 digits each, and a transformation to obtain three pseudo-random sequences used to generate three diffusion matrices which, with the RGB layers of the original image, evolve using the SWAP, CNOT, and CCNOT quantum gates. Subsequently, by applying the XOR operation, three diffused layers of the original image were obtained, to which a circular permutation strategy was applied at the row and column level, using three sequences generated by the hybrid logistic-tent chaotic system. It should be noted that the model proposed herein is inspired by the quantum domain; however, it is implemented using a classical computer and, in particular, encrypts images originally in grayscale, using an RGB representation, increasing the loss of patterns, which hinders the success of fraudulent attacks. The proposed algorithm underwent security and performance tests, obtaining indicators comparable to reported in other similar studies.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Miguel Ángel Rico García, Luz Deicy Alvarado Nieto, Edilma Isabel Amaya Barrera
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