Move Over, Quantum Cryptography: Classical Physics Can Be Unbreakable Too

MrSeb writes "Researchers from Texas A&M University claim to have pioneered unbreakable cryptography based on the laws of thermodynamics; classical physics, rather than quantum. In theory, quantum crypto (based on the laws of quantum mechanics) can guarantee the complete secrecy of transmitted messages: To spy upon a quantum-encrypted message would irrevocably change the content of the message, thus making the messages unbreakable. In practice, though, while the communication of the quantum-encrypted messages is secure, the machines on either end of the link can never be guaranteed to be flawless. According to Laszlo Kish and his team from Texas A&M, however, there is a way to build a completely secure end-to-end system — but instead of using quantum mechanics, you have to use classical physics: the second law of thermodynamics, to be exact. Kish's system is made up of a wire (the communication channel), and two resistors on each end (one representing binary 0, the other binary 1). Attached to the wire is a power source that has been treated with Johnson-Nyquist noise (thermal noise). Johnson noise is often the basis for creating random numbers with computer hardware."

Hehehe

[Hatta]

Johnson noise.

Real Geniuses

[Overzeetop]

I want to know if the Laszlo in this story also has an underground room where he prepares and sends in entries to the publishers clearing house sweepstakes. And who's dorm room closet does he come out of?

Not a law

[Anonymous Coward]

The problem with using the second law of thermodynamics for this is that it is a statistical observation, not a natural law.

A coincidence?

[Anonymous Coward]

Is it a coincidence that Johnson-Nyquist noise sounds exactly like an accordion and bagpipe duo playing La Marseillaise?

Welp

[tanujt]

I don't know about y'all, but I like my cats dead when I open the box.

Re:Kish again?

[reebmmm]

It's not a dupe, that one was based on Kichoffs's Law. [wikipedia.org] This one is based on Johnson-Nyquist noise. [wikipedia.org]

It's totally different. // Doesn't actually know if it's different /// Is really, really impressed with Dwonis' memory. //// Is general Slashdot commentter with know knowledge of the things upon which he comments.

Re:Hehehe

[Anonymous Coward]

Or vagina.

Re:A coincidence?

[DMUTPeregrine]

As a bagpipe player, I am highly offended! Thermal noise would be a step up for the accordion.