A physical zero-knowledge object-comparison system for nuclear warhead verification

Philippe, Sébastien; Goldston, Robert J.; Glaser, Alexander; d’Errico, Francesco

doi:10.1038/ncomms12890

Title: A physical zero-knowledge object-comparison system for nuclear warhead verification

Journal Article · 20 September 2016 · Nature Communications

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms12890 · OSTI ID:1332310

Philippe, Sébastien ^[1];

^[2]; Glaser, Alexander ^[1]; d’Errico, Francesco ^[3]

Princeton Univ., NJ (United States)
Princeton Plasma Physics Lab. (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States)
Univ. of Pisa (Italy); Yale Univ., New Haven, CT (United States). School of Medicine

Zero-knowledge proofs are mathematical cryptographic methods to demonstrate the validity of a claim while providing no further information beyond the claim itself. The possibility of using such proofs to process classified and other sensitive physical data has attracted attention, especially in the field of nuclear arms control. Here we demonstrate a non-electronic fast neutron differential radiography technique using superheated emulsion detectors that can confirm that two objects are identical without revealing their geometry or composition. Such a technique could form the basis of a verification system that could confirm the authenticity of nuclear weapons without sharing any secret design information. More broadly, by demonstrating a physical zero-knowledge proof that can compare physical properties of objects, this experiment opens the door to developing other such secure proof-systems for other applications.

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Research Organization:: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), Princeton, NJ (United States); Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: NA0002534

OSTI ID:: 1332310

Journal Information:: Nature Communications, Vol. 7; ISSN 2041-1723

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 18 works

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References (16)

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Cited By (5)

Nuclear disarmament verification via resonant phenomena Hecla, Jake J.; Danagoulian, Areg Nature Communications, Vol. 9, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-03680-4	journal	March 2018
A physically cryptographic warhead verification system using neutron induced nuclear resonances Engel, Ezra M.; Danagoulian, Areg Nature Communications, Vol. 10, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-12386-0	journal	September 2019
Fit for Purpose: An Evolutionary Strategy for the Implementation and Verification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons Patton, Tamara; Philippe, Sébastien; Mian, Zia Journal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament, Vol. 2, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1080/25751654.2019.1666699	journal	July 2019
A physically cryptographic warhead verification system using neutron induced nuclear resonances Engel, Ezra M.; Danagoulian, Areg arXiv https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.1907.06978	text	January 2019
A physically cryptographic warhead verification system using neutron induced nuclear resonances Engel, Ezra M.; Danagoulian, Areg arXiv https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.1907.06978	text	January 2019

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