NationStates Jolt Archive


Tyrandis develops quantum supercomputer - any/all encryption rendered useless!

Tyrandis
30-08-2004, 03:18
Tyrandis News Service Broadcast

New Zealand Institute of Technology - Scientists at the NZIT have unveiled the world's first quantum computer, making this one of the greatest breakthroughs in the history of mankind.

While traditional computers obey familiar laws of physics, encoding their actions in bits composed of copper and silicon, quantum computers store information in photons, which exist in two states simultaeneously.

Utilizing the effects of superposition, these photons are known as qubits. The results of adding a bit to today's computers simply double the amount of power; qubits raises the computer's power in orders of magnitude.

The quantum computer, dubbed "Ragnarok", has three components: The controller/input, a cooling section, and output/computation center.

A Cray X1 supercomputer operates as the input for the system, in which a problem is translated into a series of microwave pulses that program the quantum processor. From there, the input is directed to a liquid helium refridgerator where quantum chips are kept near absolute 0, preventing the loss of quantum effects. Through the quantum chips, photos flow in two directions in an aluminum loop, representing 1 and 0 simultaneously, creating the qubits. After the qubits have completed the computation, data is fed back to the Cray X1

As an example of the promising research completed by the NZIT, the new computer modeled the activities of serotonin molecules with only 424 qubits; to do this with a normal computer, one would require more matter than exists in the universe to build the bits required.

However, the breakthrough is even more intriguing if applied to the defense of Tyrandis. In 1994, Bell Labs proved that the quantum computer could ferret out primes with shocking speeds. As all modern encryption is based around the extreme difficulty of finding primes of huge numbers, the advent of the quantum computer could theoretically render these codes totally useless. Already, the quantum computer has proven itself capable of penetrating the most extensive encryption algorithims ever devised.

James Powell, head of TNIA, has already been issued a copy of Ragnarok, and is currently using it to intercept transmissions made by known terrorist groups.

Executor Xavier Davidson has made it clear that no nation needs to fear Tyrandisan abuse of the system, considering that Tyrandis is not a terrorist nor warlike nation.

Currently, Ragnarok is under armed guard by a full division of soldiers, deep in an undisclosed location.
Scandavian States
30-08-2004, 03:57
[The problem is that not all encryption uses primes as an encryption method, there are several methods that are hundreds, if not thousands, of years old that still work. Furthermore, there are some computer-based encryption programs such a PGP that do not rely on primes but on totally random encryption keys that can only be broken if two parties have a digital "key" to the encryption.]
Vastiva
30-08-2004, 04:12
OOC you realize a nice stream of gamma particles, or cosmic rays, or tachyons, would completely screw your computer all to hell, right?
Vrak
30-08-2004, 04:37
OOC: It's one thing to intercept a message but quite another to understand it. The Japanese during WWII couldn't make head or tails of the Navajo code talkers.
Axis Nova
30-08-2004, 04:40
"In other news, Axis Nova announced the switching of all communications systems to 4096-bit encryption, which is unbreakable even if the entire universe were to be turned into one gigantic quantum computer."

Axis Nova News Network
The Fedral Union
30-08-2004, 15:23
Correct me if im wrong but dont they have super computers alredy ?? and encryiption isisnt really renderd useless by them if you know what your doing ...
Pwnica
30-08-2004, 15:35
Vsm upit diqrt-vpziyrt imfrtdysmf yjod?

(Can your super-computer understand this?)
;)

(*Bored*)
Walmington on Sea
30-08-2004, 15:46
Concerned that this new computer could make Walmington's own colossal tape-driven computers seem like clunky relics as big as a house and with the power of a pocket calculator, a daring Walmingtonian codemaster, veteran of SOW's efforts against the Nazis, chances to transmit a message from his retirement home in Calarca (around NZ).

"Venn ist das nurnstuck git und slottermeyer? Ja! Beigerhund das oder die flipperwaldt gespurt!"

And thus collapsed the nation of Tyrandis ;)
Jeruselem
30-08-2004, 15:48
The head of anti-Cyberterrorism was reported to have said "This might represent an extra threat to our IT security, but the Jeruselem government internal communications is based cryptic 2000 year old languages not English."
Iakeokeo
30-08-2004, 16:06
Tyrandis News Service Broadcast

New Zealand Institute of Technology - Scientists at the NZIT have unveiled the world's first quantum computer, making this one of the greatest breakthroughs in the history of mankind. ....

"Wow..... This 'radio' thingy is pretty nifty..! I can hear da words of the gods (probably) whenever I like..!" thought Iakohoh, sitting on the beach of Iakeokeo island, sipping his coconut drink.

"Hey Iakuku,... We got any 'codes or encrypted thingies' lying around..? The gods got this thingy that breaks 'em..!" Iakohoh yelled to his cousin up the beach, cleaning his surfboard with his tongue.

"Wha...? Get outta da sun, you sand-head..! We don' need no more broken things 'round here..! You already broke all my good pointy sticks..!" yelled back Iakuku.

"Yeah, but we don' got anything that got broken by da GODS..!" replied Iakohoh, in an indolent tone.

"'Cept maybe you' head... you fleas-for-brains..!" thought Iakuku, afraid to actually SAY that, as his cousin was a much better head-whompah than himself.

"Here,... tell the gods (probably) to try an' break this..." was Iakuku's verbal response, as he tossed Iakohoh a beaten-up old book left by some passing missionary, years ago.

"Mmmmm... Don't we need this for man-paste wiping..?" asked Iakohoh.

"Just call da gods (probably) and have them pick it up. We got lots of leaves." replied Iakuku.

"O--K--..! Now,.. how do I talk-talk on this thing again..? OH YEAH,... big red button on the left..." Iakohoh thought to himself, remembering his 'training' by that passing 'tourist' person.

"Hey...! Gods..! Tyrandis Gods..! We got a thing for you to break..! Come in please..!" spoke Iakohoh in reverent tones, and in heavy anticipation.