Experimental relativistic zero-knowledge proofs with unconditional security

2025-01-30

AI Summary

Existing zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) rely on unproven computational assumptions and are vulnerable to quantum adversaries. Method: We present the first unconditionally secure relativistic ZKP system for graph 3-coloring, achieving information-theoretic security and quantum resistance. Our approach uniquely integrates special relativity—via distributed bit commitment enforced by light-speed propagation delays—with quantum nonlocality—using CHSH game-based device-independent verification—within a timestamp-synchronized optical network protocol. Contribution/Results: The protocol achieves linear round complexity in the number of graph edges. Experiments demonstrate a 13-order-of-magnitude reduction in both round count and memory requirements compared to classical and quantum ZKPs. Crucially, we provide the first real-world validation of unconditional security for ZKPs over a physical network, establishing a novel paradigm for post-quantum trust infrastructure.

Technology Category

• Machine Learning: Quantum Machine Learning
• Constraint Satisfaction and Optimization: Distributed CSP/Optimization
• Reasoning under Uncertainty: Relational Probabilistic Models

Application Category

• Security and Privacy: Data transparency and provenance
• Graph Algorithms and Modeling for the Web: Algorithms and analysis for heterogeneous, signed, attributed, multi-relational, temporal, higher-order, and annotated Web-related graphs
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: Trust and reliance of crowd workers and data experts on GenAI

Abstract

Zero-knowledge proofs (ZKPs) are widely applied in digital economies, such as cryptocurrencies and smart contracts, for establishing trust and ensuring privacy between untrusted parties. However, almost all ZKPs rely on unproven computational assumptions or are vulnerable to quantum adversaries. We propose and experimentally implement an unconditionally secure ZKP for the graph three-coloring problem by combining subset relativistic bit commitments with quantum nonlocality game. Our protocol achieves a linear relationship between interactive rounds and the number of edges, reducing round complexity and storage requirements by thirteen orders of magnitude, thereby significantly enhancing practical feasibility. Our work illustrates the powerful potential of integrating special relativity with quantum theory in trustless cryptography, paving the way for robust applications against quantum attacks in distrustful internet environments.

Problem

• Zero-Knowledge Proofs
• Cryptocurrency
• Quantum Computing

Innovation

• Relativistic Zero-Knowledge Proofs
• Quantum Games
• Graph Tricoloring Problem