1. Physical cryptographic verification of nuclear warheads.
- Author
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Kemp, R. Scott, Danagoulian, Areg, Macdonald, Ruaridh R., and Vavrek, Jayson R.
- Subjects
- *
ISOTOPIC analysis , *NUCLEAR weapons , *DISARMAMENT verification , *THEORY of knowledge , *AXIOM of choice - Abstract
How does one prove a claim about a highly sensitive object such as a nuclear weapon without revealing information about the object? This paradox has challenged nuclear arms control for more than five decades. We present a mechanism in the form of an interactive proof system that can validate the structure and composition of an object, such as a nuclear warhead, to arbitrary precision without revealing either its structure or composition. We introduce a tomographic method that simultaneously resolves both the geometric and isotopic makeup of an object. We also introduce a method of protecting information using a provably secure cryptographic hash that does not rely on electronics or software. These techniques, when combined with a suitable protocol, constitute an interactive proof system that could reject hoax items and clear authentic warheads with excellent sensitivity in reasonably short measurement times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
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