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Appendix 11 · Further Research Needs for QKD, RKD, MKD

From the book: Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics – Comparing Physical Methods of Cryptography

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Content of this appendix

Appendix 11 · Further Research Needs for QKD, RKD, MKD

This appendix identifies further research needs for QKD, RKD, and MKD from a practical state-of-the-art perspective. It treats QKD as the field with the largest research burden because key rates, long-distance performance, costs, component stability, side-channel resistance, trusted nodes, satellites, and standardization all remain major concerns.

For RKD, the appendix describes a more mature and simpler technology base but still points to open questions in extracting final keys from measurements, generating useful channel variation, satellite-related scenarios, and standardization. Because RKD can rely on many established radio components, the research path differs strongly from QKD.

For MKD, the appendix sees the main need in faster and more easily verifiable true random-number generation, continued improvement of secure storage media, and refinement of logistics processes. The appendix therefore helps readers distinguish technology-specific research problems from general deployment and standardization work.

  • Lists major QKD research and standardization needs
  • Discusses RKD measurement and motion-related issues
  • Identifies satellite-related research questions
  • Highlights TRNG speed and verification for MKD
  • Separates research needs by technology maturity

Suggested citation

Reference in IEEE style

E. Piller and H. Schölnast, “Appendix 11: Further Research Needs for QKD, RKD, MKD,” author-maintained supplementary material for Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics: Comparing Physical Methods of Cryptography, 2026. [Online]. Available: https://cryptography.study/phys/research/.

Reference in ACM style

Ernst Piller and Hubert Schölnast. 2026. Appendix 11: Further Research Needs for QKD, RKD, MKD. Author-maintained supplementary material for Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics: Comparing Physical Methods of Cryptography. https://cryptography.study/phys/research/

BibTeX entry 
@misc{piller_schoelnast_2026_appendix_11_research_needs,
  title        = {Further Research Needs for QKD, RKD, MKD},
  author       = {Ernst Piller and Hubert Schölnast},
  year         = {2026},
  howpublished = {Author-maintained supplementary material for Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics},
  url          = {https://cryptography.study/phys/research/},
  note         = {Related book DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-24764-3},
  language     = {en}
}
RIS entry 
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TI  - Further Research Needs for QKD, RKD, MKD
T2  - Author-maintained supplementary material for Data Encryption at the Intersection of Mathematics and Physics
AU  - Piller, Ernst
AU  - Schölnast, Hubert
PY  - 2026
UR  - https://cryptography.study/phys/research/
N1  - Related book DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-24764-3
LA  - en
ER  -
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