Science Daily April 19, 2018
Researchers at MIT present a concept that leverages isotope-specific nuclear resonance phenomena to authenticate a warhead’s fissile components by comparing them to a previously authenticated template. All information is encrypted in the physical domain in a manner that amounts to a physical zero-knowledge proof system. Using Monte Carlo simulations, the system is shown to reveal no isotopic or geometric information about the weapon, while readily detecting hoaxing attempts. The method is a physical analog of data encryption. The team has verified the neutron concept through extensive simulations and now hopes to prove that it works through tests of actual fissile materials… read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE 1, Open Access TECHNICAL ARTICLE 2
At top, a diagram shows the configuration that could be used to verify that a nuclear warhead is real. Credit: Image courtesy of Areg Danagoulian