Quantum computing and cryptography

20世纪初，物理学出现了一个新的数学框架——量子力学。在这个新的框架内，一系列广泛的物理理论得到了发展，并得到了非常精确的检验。到20世纪末，科学家们已经越来越精确地控制了量子现象。与我们所相信的可能性相比，迄今为止量子现象被控制的程度仍然相当有限。21世纪最大的挑战之一将是充分利用量子力学的力量。我们知道，利用独特的量子现象，如叠加和纠缠，将实现技术上的非凡飞跃，从而实现牢不可破的密码技术、超精确的传感器和强大的量子计算机，这些技术可以解决一些被普遍认为在传统“经典”设备上难以解决的问题。就像20世纪40年代的科学家对计算机对社会的应用和影响知之甚少一样，我们可能只触及了这种新形式的信息处理能力的表面。我提出的研究计划包括两个相互关联的主题。第一个主题支持使用量子计算机来解决使用最著名的经典解决方案难以解决的重要问题的长期愿景。我们将探索寻找新的量子算法工具的肥沃领域，包括一些重要密码方案背后的深层数学问题。我们还将探讨将高级量子算法有效转化为现实计算系统所面临的一系列挑战。新的量子算法，新的应用，以及它们的高效实现，将扩大和深化量子计算机在解决我们无法解决的重要计算问题方面的有效性。我们也在为未来的“量子软件”行业播下种子，这是控制和操作越来越多的量子设备所必需的。第二个主题支持部署下一代加密基础设施的长期愿景，这些基础设施将能够抵御量子攻击。在量子计算技术的未来，“量子安全”是网络安全的必要组成部分。我们的工作包括为超安全加密和安全应用寻找量子技术的新应用。开发量子算法是设计经典加密工具以抵御我们认为可行的量子或经典攻击的必要部分。这两个工具家族相互协作，为加密解决方案寻求者提供一系列功能。我们的工作包括开发量子和经典加密工具的有用混合应用，以及将量子安全加密工具集成和迁移到部署的加密基础设施中。我们将继续与包括国际标准组织在内的行业和政府合作伙伴合作，培训准备开发、部署和使用量子安全加密工具的下一代密码学家。该研究项目将解决利用量子物理学解决重要计算和加密问题的核心深层数学和计算挑战。学生和博士后研究人员将获得深厚的技术技能和知识，因为他们有新的发现，并找到方法将其应用于解决重要问题。他们将了解他们的知识和技能在非学术领域的潜在用途，并获得经验，将他们在量子计算和密码学方面的工作及其意义传达给学术界、政府和工业界。

The early 20th century brought the creation of a new mathematical framework for physics, quantum mechanics. A broad array of physical theories has been developed within this new framework and tested with remarkable accuracy. By the end of the 20th century, scientists had achieved control over quantum phenomena with increasing precision. The degree to which quantum phenomena have been controlled to date is still rather limited in comparison with what we believe is possible. One of the greatest challenges of the 21st century will be to fully harness the power of quantum mechanics. We know that capitalizing on uniquely quantum phenomena, such as superposition and entanglement, will enable extraordinary leaps in technology enabling unbreakable cryptographic techniques, ultra-precise sensors, and powerful quantum computers that can solve some problems widely believed to be intractable on conventional “classical” devices. Just as scientists in the 1940s had very little idea about the applications and impact computers would have on society, we have likely only scratched the surface of the capabilities of this new form of information processing.My proposed research program covers two interconnected themes.The first theme supports the long-term vision of using quantum computers to solve important problems that are intractable using the best-known classical solutions. We will explore fertile territory for finding new quantum algorithmic tools including deep mathematical problems underlying some important cryptographic schemes. We will also explore a rich set of challenges underlying the efficient translation of high-level quantum algorithms into realistic computing systems.New quantum algorithms, new applications, and their efficient implementations, will broaden and deepen the effectiveness of quantum computers at solving important computational problems we otherwise could not solve. We are also sowing the seeds for a future “quantum software” industry, which is needed in order to control and operate the growing array of quantum devices. The second theme supports the long-term vision of deploying the next-generation cryptographic infrastructure that will be secure against quantum attacks. In a future with quantum computing technologies, being “quantum-safe” is a necessary part of being cyber-safe. Our work includes finding new applications of quantum technologies for ultra-secure cryptography and security applications. Developing quantum algorithms is a necessary part of designing classical cryptographic tools safe against what we believe are feasible quantum or classical attacks. These two families of tools work alongside each other to provide a range of features to cryptography solution seekers. Our work includes developing useful hybrid applications of quantum and classical cryptographic tools, and the integration and migration of quantum-safe cryptographic tools into the deployed cryptography infrastructure. We will continue to train next-generation cryptographers ready to develop, deploy and use quantum-safe cryptographic tools, in collaboration with partners in industry and government, including international standards organizations. This research program will tackle deep mathematical and computing challenges at the core of harnessing quantum physics to solve important computational and cryptographic problems. Students and postdoctoral researchers will acquire deep technical skills and knowledge as they make new discoveries and find ways to apply them to solve important problems. They will understand the potential uses of their knowledge and skills in non-academic sectors, and gain experience communicating their work in quantum computing and cryptography, and its significance, to academia, government and industry.